Fathers

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the applicability of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) to gain an understanding of interdental cleaning behaviour change in senior high school students (12th grade) in Iran. Materials and methods: Multistage cluster sampling was employed to recruit 361 senior high school students from 8 schools in Yazd City, Iran. This cross-sectional study took place from November 2008 to March 2009. Appropriate instruments were used to identify the stages of interdental cleaning behaviour and psychological attributes, including interdental cleaning behaviour, decisional balance, and self-efficacy. The statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA. Results: Of the 361 students, nearly 12.5% were in the maintenance stage, while 49.6% were in the pre-contemplation stage, with the rest distributed among the other stages of interdental cleaning behaviour change. There was a statistically significant difference in the stages of interdental cleaning behaviour change by gender. Self-efficacy and decisional balance differed significantly across the stages of interdental cleaning behaviour change. Conclusion: The TTM was found to be useful in determining the stages of interdental cleaning behaviour change among students. This study suggests the development of theory-based and empirically supported intervention strategies and programs to improve interdental cleaning behaviour with an emphasis on improving students' self-efficacy in this area.

This study examined Chinese fathers' feelings about their partners' delivery and views on their presence during labour and birth. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 403 fathers whose partners gave birth in one provincial hospital in China. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics, χ(2)-test and content analysis. The results indicated that more than 80% of fathers experienced feelings of pride related to fatherhood and of love towards their partners and newborns. Significant differences in fathers' feelings were found between subgroups with regard to age, education, employment, presence in the delivery room, method of birth and whether preparatory visits had been made to the hospital. The majority who answered an open-ended question on the meaning of fathers' presence in the delivery room held a positive attitude towards fathers' presence at labour and birth, as their presence could empower their partners and provide psychological support. This study indicates fathers' presence at delivery and birth is important and that younger fathers need more support. It also provides evidence for clinical practice and future interventions to improve fathers' psychological health and experiences.

to explore the attitudes of first-time mothers towards antenatal education from the perspective of attenders and non-attenders.a qualitative approach was utilised using focus group interviews to collect the data.the study was conducted in one local health office area of the Health Service Executive—South East, Ireland.a purposive sample of first-time mothers was interviewed to explore the area of antenatal education. These women included both attenders and non-attenders at antenatal education.the findings suggest there are many strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and barriers to antenatal education. Strengths of antenatal education included the facilitator of antenatal classes, the information and preparation received, and the social aspect of meeting other expectant mothers. Barriers to attendance at antenatal education included working night shifts, no interest, transport difficulties, inflexible employer, and partner not attending. A move away from didactic teaching methods and greater participation and involvement of parents was identified as necessary.fundamental issues related to the provision and of antenatal education were identified. A need for promotion and advertising of antenatal education was identified by the participants. Mothers identified specific needs such as the provision of postnatal classes and peer mentoring, flexible availability of classes, and facilitators utilising the principles of adult learning to guide classes. The mothers alluded to the importance of father's attendance and inclusion at classes. In view of the poor uptake of antenatal classes in Ireland, it is imperative that an approach to antenatal education is parent centred and needs driven.

To study the caries prevalence and caries experience of 5, 12 and 15-year-old children in Greece and evaluate how the disease pattern is related to their sociodemographic parameters. A stratified cluster sample of 1209, 1224 and 1257 of five, twelve and fifteen-year-old Greek children were randomly selected according to WHO guidelines for national pathfinder surveys and examined for dental caries, according to the BASCD criteria and standards. d3mft, D3MFT and their components, as well as d3mfs, D3MFS, Care Index (CI) and SiC were recorded and related to the demographic data collected concerning age, gender, counties, urban/rural areas and parents' educational status. Dental caries varied considerably between the different districts, with a mean dmft/DMFT value for each age group being 1.77, 2.05 and 3.19 respectively, while 64%, 37% and 29% of them, were with no obvious dentinal caries. Children living in rural areas demonstrated significantly higher dmft/DMFT values and less d...

Governments are increasingly implementing policies that encourage early father-infant bonding. However, to date, research has not systematically examined fathers’ perspectives and experiences of early bonding. Using a social constructionist embodiment perspective we argue that paternal bonding is best conceived as a process of repeated, embodied performances that are shaped by gendered parenting discourses. Drawing on 100 semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of Australian fathers of young infants, we argue that most men believe they are capable of developing early strong bonds. They assume that bonding is a product of spending sufficient time with a child, irrespective of the parent's gender. In contrast, a sizable minority of fathers assert that physiology means fathers are ‘largely useless’ to very young infants, and tend to remain distant in the early months. We conclude that social policies promoting early paternal bonding must engage with and challenge gendered/p...

More than 10% of fathers experience depression and anxiety during the perinatal period, but paternal perinatal depression (PPND) and anxiety have received less attention than maternal perinatal mental health problems. Few mainstream treatment options are available for men with PPND and anxiety. The aim of this literature review was to summarize the current understanding of PPND and the treatment programs specifically designed for fathers with perinatal depression. Eight electronic databases were searched using a predefined strategy, and reference lists were also hand searched. PPND and anxiety were identified to have a negative impact on family relationships, as well as the health of mothers and children. Evidence suggests a lack of support and tailored treatment options for men having trouble adjusting to the transition to fatherhood. Of the limited options available, cognitive behavioral therapy, group work, and blended delivery programs, including e-support approaches appear to b...

Fathers of premature infants have been primarily marginalized caregivers up until the last 20 years, but change in both the societal definition and expectation of fathers as well as tremendous evolution in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and neonatal care towards integrative practice inclusive of music therapy has rendered a unique time in history. Fathers, now viewed as integral to optimal parenting outcomes, are well matched to the unique therapeutic offering of music therapy. In this article, three music psychotherapists have provided literature review across the helping professions as well as case studies to bring the complex role of NICU fathers into much greater salience.

Couvade is the male experience of pregnancy and couvade syndrome incorporates a range of symptoms suffered by "pregnant" men. The aetiology of the couvade syndrome is unknown. Anthropologists, psychiatrists, nurses and sociologists have provided explanations for behaviour changes in "pregnant" men in terms of cultural pressure, intrapsychic processes and psychosocial adaptation to a new situation. The adoption of a biological perspective allows us to ask a new question: is there a physiological basis for the couvade syndrome? A fresh research agenda would include measurement of physiological change and a search for causation. Implications for nursing are outlined.