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Abstract

Background: Statutory paternity leave (PL) represents a significant transition and time period in fathers' lives. Despite this, limited research provides information on how PL is experienced by fathers, particularly fathers from the UK. PL supports fathers' involvement in the care of their newborn, enabling the development of an emotional bond, and supports the mother at a critical point in her life. However, this leave also occurs at a time during which emotional and psychological challenges are likely to be experienced, often exacerbated by inadequate support systems within workplace and health care systems.

Design: This study utilised Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experiences and meaning making of seven fathers who, within the past two years, took Statutory PL lasting between one and two weeks.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants, and the data was analysed to identify common themes focusing on how fathers describe their experience of PL.

Findings: The analysis identified six key themes: (1) From Provider to Caregiver: Fostering Care and Support, (2) A Father’s Quest for Identity and Struggle to Find a Role Amidst the Instinctive Mother-Baby Bond, (3) The Team: Multifaceted Bonding and Support Dynamics within PL, (4) Fathers' Emotional Odyssey During PL, (5) Fathers’ Suffering and Vulnerability in the Shadows of PL, and (6) The Myth of PL: Navigating Workplace Power Dynamics and Pushed Boundaries.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that PL, whilst offering a valuable opportunity for bonding with their newborn, is also a period marked by significant challenges for fathers. Fathers often experience a sense of marginalisation from primary caregiving roles, anxiety, and panic as they struggle to find their role within the new family dynamic. The bond between mother and father, plays a critical role during this period, acting as a vital support for fathers to cope with these challenging experiences

Clinical implications and future research: The results from this research highlights the need for father specific support systems throughout the antenatal period, such as counselling psychologists and other healthcare professionals, delivering antenatal classes tailored specifically to include information that supports fathers. Future research should examine the long-term impact of PL on fathers' mental health and assess the impact of healthcare organisations and father-supportive workplace policies. Additionally, it is important to consider researching fathers in different contexts, such as those who have a newborn with additional needs, fathers who have ruptured relationships with their partner, fathers from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and those in same-sex relationships, as these groups may face unique challenges during PL.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences > Department of Psychology & Neuroscience School of Health & Medical Sciences > School of Health & Medical Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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