Date
9-2015
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Chair
Cristie McClendon
Keywords
Anxiety, Coping, Expectant, Fatherhood, Fears, Prenatal
Disciplines
Curriculum and Social Inquiry | Education | Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Educational Methods | Educational Psychology
Recommended Citation
Grand, Robert, "A Collective Case Study of Expectant Father Fears" (2015). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 1062.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/1062
Abstract
This qualitative, collective case study explored how men perceive fears of childbirth and level of preparedness to become fathers. An additional purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of expectant and new fathers with regard to how the Boot Camp for New Dads (BCND) program helped them to alleviate pregnancy fears and develop preparedness to become a parent. Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews and focus groups conducted after the participants completed a three-hour boot camp for the BCND program. Additionally, participants completed the Kessler-6, a short questionnaire designed to glean their perspectives of fears after the childbirth. The data analysis revealed five major themes. Four of the themes were in regard to expectant father pregnancy fears, and the other theme was related to expectant fathers’ perceptions of how the BCND program helped them cope with fears. After coding and categorical aggregation were completed, the following three pregnancy fear themes were made clear: Am I prepared for fatherhood?, Will mom and baby be in good health?, I am not alone Will I ever get my wife back? The perceived value of the Boot Camp for New Dads program could be summarized by the following theme: If the veteran fathers can do it, so can I.
Included in
Curriculum and Social Inquiry Commons, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Educational Psychology Commons
