Fatherhood group sessions: A descriptive and summative qualitative study.
Anita Berlin, Michael Rosander, Karin F Frykedal and 2 others
PMID 32945070WHAT IT FOUND
In observed Swedish fatherhood groups, fathers had the opportunity to speak between half and two-thirds of session time.
The leader's discussion role, not expert lectures, opened space for child care, couple conflict, work-life balance, and parental-leave concerns.
Key findings
01The leader used four roles: discussion leader, expert, friend, and organizer; across the sessions fathers' activity was 60% and leader activity was 40%.
02Fathers described challenges in child care, couple communication, everyday routines, and gender equality, plus changes such as closer family connection and a practical focus.
03The sessions adhered in content to national parental-education goals, including preparation for parenthood, child development, co-parenting, and social networks.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Eight fathers in one Swedish urban area, with one group leader, so the themes may not apply to other settings or countries. The study described what happened in sessions; it did not measure whether the groups improved father well-being, parenting, or child outcomes. Video was used for only one session, and recording or observers may have changed how the leader and fathers behaved. Participants were fathers only, not mothers, partners, or fathers who did not attend. The leader was a man who had previously led fatherhood groups, not necessarily a nurse, so transfer to usual nurse-led groups is uncertain.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest were declared. The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that fatherhood groups improve parenting or child well-being. The study only describes what happened in a small group of fathers' sessions.