Cognitions of First-Time Expectant Fathers
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Authors
Lynch, Barton D.
Issue Date
2003
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The prenatal period can be conceptualized as an unutilized time in which men's once benign presence is now viewed as a defining factor in the transition to the family triad. While childbirth classes have enabled men to become more involved than in the past, many men continue to feel left out and unprepared for fatherhood (Barnhill, Rubenstein, & Rocklin, 1979; Gearing, 1978; Wente & Crockenberg, 1976). This transitional period for expectant fathers is described by Shapiro (1987) as a period encompassed by anxiety, stress, and insecurity, often resulting in increased substance use, workaholism, psychosomatic distress, and sexual promiscuity. Expectant fathers appear to require a concrete method, or "vehicle," during this period to help in understanding the foreign thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with their partner's pregnancy. While various modalities have been utilized with expectant fathers, none have effectively addressed the wide range of complexities during this vital transition. This study sought to investigate whether a cognitive-behaviorally based intervention with a traditional Lamaze class for first-time expectant fathers could reduce levels of anxiety and frequency/intensity of negative automatic thoughts. Participants from both control and experimental groups were administered a demographic questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Scale (Spielberger, 1983) and an Automatic Thought Survey. Results of the study suggest that participants involved in the experimental group showed decreases in intensity for a specific automatic thought following the intervention. Conversely, an additional automatic thought increased in intensity following the intervention. Furthermore, trends in the data interestingly suggested an increase in trait anxiety for experimental group participants following the intervention.