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Paternal experiences in Iranian men: a phenomenological study
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N Eskandari   , M Simbar * , A Vedadhir , AR Baghestani |
| , msimbar@sbmu.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (11630 Views) |
| Introduction: Understanding men`s lived experiences of fathering is necessary to provide knowledge and educational intervention to facilitate transition to parenthood. In this regards, present study designed to explore men’s experiences of fathering in Iran.
Method: This research was a phenomenological study and participations were 17 Iranian men from Qom City, who had one health infant. Depth interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire were used for data gathering. Data was analyzed with Smith’s Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach. Participants were recruited by purposeful sampling method and sampling process continued until the data saturation.
Results: Lived experiences of fathering were categorized in five themes including evolution and change, satisfaction and gladness, conflict and dichotomy, challenge and worry, demands and expectations. Following child birth, fathers perceived entering to a new stage of their life, developing in personal and social domains, Prioritizing child in their life and shifting in attitude toward their wives. On father`s viewpoint, child was a source of pride, love and joyance and known as a cause of improvement in occupational and economic conditions, elevation of men's social status, and stability in family life. Modern believes and traditional behaviors, restriction or freedom, and importance or unimportance of child`s gender were conflicting perceptions that fathers experienced of fathering. Taking distance from self, insufficient supports, paternal responsibilities, isolation in home and difficulties related to the child, were challenges that could have led to higher stress levels in fathers. More supports by society and understanding by wife were father’s expectations.
Conclusion: Fathering was a positive revolution and a satisfactory experience for Iranian men and no one of them expressed dissatisfaction from fathering. Following parenting, fathers experienced conflicts and worries and they expressed need more family and social supports to play better their paternal role and to fulfill difficulties related to fatherhood. |
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| Keywords: Father, father`s lived experiences, paternal experiences, qualitative study. |
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Full-Text [PDF 244 kb]
(2574 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing |
Subject:
nursing
Received: 2016/01/13 | Published: 2016/01/15
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