title: The journey into fatherhood: A grounded theory study.
abstract: The objective of this study was to explore the process of transition into fatherhood for Thai men from childbirth to the postpartum period. Forty-one first-time Thai fathers were voluntarily recruited from two hospitals in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from December 2012 to June 2013. In-depth interviews were used to collect the data, which were analyzed based on grounded theory methodology. The basic social process that emerged as the core category was termed: "the journey into fatherhood." This process was divided into three phases: labor, delivery, and family beginning. Within this process, there were various situations, challenges, and pressures, which caused many changes of mood and feelings for the first-time fathers. Throughout this process, they applied various strategies to manage their concerns and needs, in order to develop into masterly fathers. Identifying the process of the journey into fatherhood provides nurses and midwives insight into the new fathers' experiences, which will enable them to be more sensitive, respectful, and effective caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nantaporn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sansiriphun
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kannika
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kantaruksa
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Areewan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klunklin
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chavee
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baosuang
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Saowanee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liamtrirat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology; D010332:Paternal Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Thailand; childbirth; fatherhood; first-time Thai fathers; grounded theory; postpartum