Deakin University study reveals first-time dads struggle with parenthood

A new study has revealed first-time fathers are feeling “ridiculously unprepared” as they struggle with rapid changes. Here are some tips to help new dads.

Dr Golly (Dr Daniel Golshevsky) has revealed his tips for how dads can transition into parenthood, as new research explores how they are struggling with their mental health. Picture: David Caird

First-time dads are struggling with a range of emotions including feelings of conflict and guilt as they transition to parenthood, a new study has revealed.

The latest research by Deakin University has found new fathers struggled with rapid changes to home and work life as well as unexpected impacts to their own and their partner’s mental health.

Some of the men interviewed for the study described feeling “ridiculously unprepared”, guilty, lacking in agency and mindful of a shrinking social circle while at the same time finding more satisfaction in their role as new dads than they expected.

The study, which involved 15 dads across Australia, asked them about their transition to fatherhood as they look back with children now aged up to eight years old.

Deakin University’s School of Health and Social Development Norma Barrett, who was the study’s research lead, said the findings offered a fresh perspective on the transition to parenthood as it captured the experiences of fathers further along their parenting journey than previous research.

“Previous studies on dads have mainly focused on the first year of fatherhood when they have no insight into how things will play out for them in the longer term,” Ms Barrett said.

Dr Golly (Dr Daniel Golshevsky), a Melbourne-based pediatrician, says more fathers are now involved in post-natal care. Picture: David Caird

“This research brings in a broader, more reflective perspective from fathers and adds to the increasing understanding we have of the challenges faced by all new parents, both mums and dads, as they adjust to life with a newborn.”

New fathers also revealed the impacts of financial decision making and career impacts and how this played out over the years.

Leading pediatrician, Daniel Golshevsky, known as Dr Golly, said there was a shift in society where fathers were far more involved in the post-natal care.

“There are significant challenges for fathers and the rates of paternal post-natal anxiety, depression and adjustment disorder are very much high, under-reported and under-treated,” Dr Golshevsky said.

He said more fathers were taking paternity leave and working from home.

“Even in my own practice I’m seeing dads involved more and a more hands-on approach,” he said.

“It benefits the mother because it takes the pressure off her and it benefits the babies in ways we cannot even imagine now and in the future.”

Ms Barrett added that the research also showed fathers felt like they had one chance to negotiate their work-parenting roles at the beginning of parenthood.

“Changes to this plan only happened if they were accommodating the needs or preferences of the child’s mother or when another baby came along,” she said.

“Many fathers were ‘default breadwinners’ for the family though some did not want to be.”

Ms Barrett said the findings from the study would inform health service providers, employers as well as parents so both mums and dads could better prepare for parenthood and parental decision making.

“If parents can protect their mental health and their relationships, they’ll be more available to focus on the joy of parenting,” she said.

Dr Golly’s top three tips for new fathers

– Preparation is key, have a mental health plan and prioritise self-care.

– Get enough sleep. If babies can be helped with their sleep, it will help parents sleep and feel better overall.

– Time parental leave carefully. New dads may find that taking their paternity leave might be more valuable at the one-month mark, rather than from when the baby is born.

Originally published as Deakin University study reveals first-time dads struggle with parenthood