A Qualitative Study of Fathers' Experiences of Depression After Having or Adopting a Child

To gain insight into the lived experiences of paternal postpartum and post-adoption depression, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 4 biological and 3 adoptive fathers who self-identified as primary caregivers and experienced depression within 12 months of having or adopting their child(ren). A thematic analysis revealed commonalities and unique aspects of biological and adoptive fathers’ experiences of depression, as well as society’s influence on their experiences of depression. Commonalities included the impact of Significant Stressors and Expectation-Reality Asymmetry on fathers’ experiences of depression, while biological fathers had difficulty being Mentally Present with their Children, and adoptive fathers had a Strong Need to Teach their Children. Fathers also described how aspects of society such as Social Expectations of Parents and their Unmet Support Needs perpetuated their depression. These findings are discussed in relation to research regarding mothers’ experiences of PPD, and their implications for practice and research are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Pease, Lilly

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2013 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2013-09993

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/32842