Service Strategies for Engaging Fathers in the Perinatal Period — What Have we Learned so Far?

Abstract

The aim of this article is to review the published evidence on the effectiveness of strategies to engage men in psychosocial services during the perinatal period, and to consider anecdotal information from unpublished Australian programs. Thirteen published studies were found that provided some information on the enrolment numbers of men, together with the strategies used in each study. In addition, anecdotal information from nine Australian programs has been reported. Engaging men is more likely to succeed if they are, at least initially, offered a single-session program, rather than multiple sessions, they receive a personal invitation to attend, the initial emphasis is on practical things men can do rather than emotional issues, programs are not scheduled to coincide with televised major sporting fixtures, their partner is already attending the service, and the sessions are scheduled to occur several weeks into a program, not at the start. After-hours services may in some circumstances result in better enrolment by men, and use of plain language by program facilitators is better than counselling ‘jargon’ when engaging and working with men. Perinatal psychosocial services aimed at including men should consider carefully the strategies they employ if they wish to optimise the attendance of fathers or expectant fathers.

Keywords:

• men's health
• perinatal mental health
• postnatal depression
• parenthood
• fathers
• evidence-based practice
• compliance
• enrolment
• attendance