Don’t forget Dads: Fathers’ Experiences of Neonatal Care.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Fathers’ Psychological Experiences of Neonatal Care: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Study.
IRAS ID
335201
Contact name
Sarah Pratt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Staffordshire University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
This research aims to understand fathers’ psychological experiences of neonatal care within NHS hospitals in England. The research aims to also understand what meaning fathers’ give to these experiences. There is a lack of research understanding fathers’ experiences, with research predominately focusing on mothers’ experiences alone (Merritt et al, 2021). Research has documented that fathers’ experiences may be different due to the differing parental role they take on (Merritt et al, 2021), therefore it is important to understand fathers’ experiences to be able to provide adequate support. Therefore, the research may be able to inform future service provision for fathers. People who identify themselves as fathers of an infant who has received neonatal care and has been discharged from care at least 4 weeks ago or who is due to be discharged within the next 4 weeks, aged over 18 years old and speak fluent English are eligible to take part in the research. Participants will be recruited via poster advertisements on specified neonatal care units in NHS hospitals in England, poster advertisements on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. The research will also be advertised via professional networks consisting of Clinical Psychologists working across neonatal care units across England. Participants will take part in an online interview lasting approximately 60 minutes. No funding is necessary for the research. Participation will provide valuable insight into how fathers’ experience their infants neonatal care. Participation could potentially influence further guidance into how fathers are supported, and their experiences recognised on NICU’s. We aim to share the research findings with the NHS NICU's in the local area that are named as research sites. By doing this we hope that they are able to use the findings to implement positive change for dads in NICUs.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
24/NS/0022
Date of REC Opinion
1 Mar 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion