Functional status after fatherhood: an Australian study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the functional status of new fathers.


METHODS
A descriptive, correlational study.


METHODS
A variety of postnatal services within one regional center in New South Wales, Australia.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-eight men who had fathered a healthy infant born at or near term, both first-time fathers and men adding to their existing families, who could read and write English.


METHODS
Fathers were surveyed at 6 weeks postpartum using the Inventory of Functional Status-Fathers.


RESULTS
Paternal age, number of children, and satisfaction with fatherhood were identified as correlates of functional status. An inverse relationship was noted between the number of children and satisfaction with fatherhood.


CONCLUSIONS
Although most fathers maintained their level of participation in household and family activities postpartum, few increased their involvement in response to the birth of their child. Practitioners should encourage expectant parents to actively negotiate the division of household labor and the sharing of infant and child care responsibilities before the birth of their newborn.
McVeigh
Carol A
CA
Griffith University School of Nursing, Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia. cmcveigh@ozemail.com.au
Baafi
Mercy
M
Williamson
Moira
M
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002668:Child Rearing; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005220:Fathers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006796:Household Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010331:Paternal Age; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D049590:Postpartum Period; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data