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Paternal Perinatal Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Framework Analysis of the Reddit Forum Predaddit

Author

Listed:
  • Emily E. Cameron

    (Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada)

  • Kaeley M. Simpson

    (Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada)

  • Shayna K. Pierce

    (Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada)

  • Kailey E. Penner

    (Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada)

  • Alanna Beyak

    (Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada)

  • Irlanda Gomez

    (Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada)

  • John-Michael Bowes

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada)

  • Kristin A. Reynolds

    (Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
    Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N4, Canada
    Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0Z3, Canada)

  • Lianne M. Tomfohr-Madsen

    (Faculty of Education, Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Leslie E. Roos

    (Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
    Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0Z3, Canada
    Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1S1, Canada)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, new parents were disproportionately affected by public health restrictions changing service accessibility and increasing stressors. However, minimal research has examined pandemic-related stressors and experiences of perinatal fathers in naturalistic anonymous settings. An important and novel way parents seek connection and information is through online forums, which increased during COVID-19. The current study qualitatively analyzed the experiences of perinatal fathers from September to December 2020 through the Framework Analytic Approach to identify unmet support needs during COVID-19 using the online forum predaddit on reddit. Five main themes in the thematic framework included forum use, COVID-19, psychosocial distress, family functioning, and child health and development, each with related subthemes. Findings highlight the utility of predaddit as a source of information for, and interactions of, fathers to inform mental health services. Overall, fathers used the forum to engage with other fathers during a time of social isolation and for support during the transition to parenthood. This manuscript highlights the unmet support needs of fathers during the perinatal period and the importance of including fathers in perinatal care, implementing routine perinatal mood screening for both parents, and developing programs to support fathers during this transition to promote family wellbeing.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily E. Cameron & Kaeley M. Simpson & Shayna K. Pierce & Kailey E. Penner & Alanna Beyak & Irlanda Gomez & John-Michael Bowes & Kristin A. Reynolds & Lianne M. Tomfohr-Madsen & Leslie E. Roos, 2023. "Paternal Perinatal Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Framework Analysis of the Reddit Forum Predaddit," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4408-:d:1084741
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Antonio Bruno & Laura Celebre & Carmela Mento & Amelia Rizzo & Maria Catena Silvestri & Rosa De Stefano & Rocco Antonio Zoccali & Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello, 2020. "When Fathers Begin to Falter: A Comprehensive Review on Paternal Perinatal Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Miyoung Lee & Yeon-Suk Kim & Mi-Kyoung Lee, 2021. "The Mediating Effect of Marital Intimacy on the Relationship between Spouse-Related Stress and Prenatal Depression in Pregnant Couples: An Actor–Partner Interdependent Model Test," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-10, January.
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