'Everything that's said comes from me': New fathers' experiences of individual conversations with the child health nurse.
Pamela Massoudi, Amanda Wikerstål, Viktor Carlsson and 1 others
PMID 37212534WHAT IT FOUND
Many fathers valued a private conversation with the child health nurse after the birth of their child.
They said it made them feel seen as parents and helped them discuss feelings and relationship topics they might not raise with their partner.
Key findings
01Fathers generally valued being invited to an individual conversation with the child health nurse and felt it signalled they were seen as involved parents.
02Many fathers said the conversation being without their partner made it easier to talk about feelings, the couple relationship, and concerns they might not raise otherwise.
03Some fathers described feeling validated or relieved, and some said the conversation led to reflection or new ways of interacting with their child; a few said it did not have much impact.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only fathers who were Swedish-speaking took part, so it does not show how other non-birthing parents or fathers from other language backgrounds would experience the conversation. The fathers were recruited by child health nurses and were likely already positive about talking with the nurse, so more hesitant fathers may be missing. The study reports experiences of the conversation, not whether it improves depression, parenting, or child outcomes. The nurses had training in supportive counselling and depression screening, so the conversation may not reflect routine practice without that training. Fathers varied in what they wanted to discuss and when, so the findings do not give a single format that fits all.
Declared interests
The study was financed by grants from the Department of Research and Development, Kronoberg Region, Sweden. The funding body was not involved in design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, writing, or submission. The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that the individual conversation prevents paternal depression or improves child development. It reports fathers' experiences of a nurse-led conversation, not tested effects.