title: Father role: A comparison between teenage and adult first-time fathers in Thailand.
abstract: In this study, we compared perceived father roles among teenage and adult first-time fathers in Thailand. The design was cross-sectional and comparative, and the sample involved 70 teenage and 70 adult fathers, whose children were 2-6 months old. The fathers were recruited from 32 primary healthcare centers in the western region of Thailand. Three validated, self-reported questionnaires with multiple-choice questions were used for data collection. Differences between the two groups were analyzed using χ(2)-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test. The results revealed differences between teenage and adult fathers concerning income, educational level, and intention to have a baby. The teenage father group had a lower sense of competence, and scored lower on childrearing behavior and father-child relationship than the adult father group. These findings provide healthcare professionals with increased knowledge and understanding of teenage fathers' needs in preparing for parenthood. Given that we now know the importance of positive father roles in children's lives, health authorities should be expected to provide resources to help support these fathers.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden.|Prachomklao College of Nursing, Phetchaburi, Thailand.
authors.forename: Atcharawadee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sriyasak
authors.affiliation: School of Health Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna-Lena
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Almqvist
authors.affiliation: Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Udon Thani, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chaweewan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sridawruang
authors.affiliation: School of Health Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Elisabet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Häggström-Nordin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012380:Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand
keywords: child; childrearing; competence; father; relationship; teenage pregnancy