Flourishing in Fatherhood is exploring the challenges fathers face during their transition to parenthood.
While antenatal programs help pregnant mothers live healthily to enhance pregnancy outcomes, expectant fathers are often treated as secondary to fertility, birthing and parenting processes.
Fathers provide important influences on child development in ways that are unique and independent to those of mothers.
Building on previous research discovery through ORIGINS' CARE-Dads project, which identified substantial cardiovascular and mental health risks in men after the birth of their child, the Flourishing in Fatherhood project will look at the mental and physical health challenges of our ORIGINS Dads.
We will also explore what impact the physical and mental health of fathers has on their child.
The sub-project recruited 600 fathers over the age of 18 that ideally had provided a blood sample to ORIGINS while their partner was pregnant.
Participating fathers were asked:
- To attend one clinic appointment, where a small sample of blood and urine were collected alongside general measurements, such as height, weight and blood pressure
- To complete a questionnaire reflecting on their experience as a new dad, as well as their social wellbeing, family and general health
A small group of fathers were also asked to join a focus group to further discuss their experiences in the transition to fatherhood.
All participants received a free health check-up, where their risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease was assessed using blood pressure measurements, blood glucose levels and cholesterol levels.
Hormone levels were also reviewed, and a copy of the above results was provided with any issues flagged via a letter to provide to their general healthcare professional.
Investigators:
- Professor Bu Yeap at The University of Western Australia
- Professor Desiree Silva, ORIGINS Co-Director, at The Kids Research Institute Australia
- Dr Lisa Gibson, ORIGINS Project Manager, at The Kids Research Institute Australia
- Dr Sophie Cronin at The University of Western Australia
- Professor Susan Prescott at the Nova Institute for Health
- Dr Jackie Davis, ORIGINS Co-Director, at The Kids Research Institute Australia
- Dr Ravisha Srinivas Jois at Joondalup Health Campus
- Emily Segers at The Kids Research Institute Australia
- Dr Vincent Mancini at The Kids Research Institute Australia
- Dr Kym Jones at Joondalup Health Campus
- Dr Kevin Murray at Joondalup Health Campus
- Dr Nina D'Vaz, ORIGINS Biobank Manager, at The Kids Research Institute Australia
- Dr Peter Melville Smith at Joondalup Health Campus
- Natasha Bear at Natasha Bear Statistics