Support for the Supporter: Paternal Postpartum Loneliness and Social Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

During the postpartum period, fathers may be at risk of increased stress and loneliness, which may be offset or buffered by the provision of social support. This study aimed to explore fathers’ postpartum experiences of loneliness, perceived stress, and social support. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to inform study design and analysis. Semistructured interviews were conducted to collect data from 12 fathers, living in the Republic of Ireland, who had an infant aged 6 months or younger. A grounded theory entitled “support for the supporter,” describing fathers’ experiences with social support, and loneliness during the postpartum period, was derived. Participants described experiencing increased financial pressure and having difficulty balancing the role of “breadwinner” with fatherhood. Participants described feeling excluded from maternity care and lacked avenues for information within the Irish health care system. Participants linked their experiences of loneliness to the lack of social support in the postpartum period. This study offers a novel insight into Irish fathers’ experiences with maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is the first to qualitatively explore paternal postpartum loneliness and provides a good foundation for future research and intervention in this area. Findings suggest that it would be wise to promote social support from other experienced fathers, friends, family, and from partners to reduce paternal postpartum loneliness.