Stressed fathers needed for research
Witnessing a loved one give birth, especially for the first time, is both an anxiety provoking and exhilarating experience.
Yet for many fathers childbirth was not the joyous experience they hoped for. Having a baby is an extraordinary event in a man’s life, but many men do not receive the support they need. Some suffer from symptoms resembling post-traumatic stress disorder.
“ There is no published research on how post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth affects fathers,” says Associate Professor Gillian White.
“ We know that a small percentage of women suffer a distressing birth yet we know little about what it is like for fathers who witness a traumatic birth.”
“ It is important that men’s feelings are recognised for proper advice to be offered,” she says. Dr White and Gregg LaHood are looking for men who are willing to tell their story of witnessing their partner give birth in a situation which caused prolonged stress.
It does not matter how long ago the experience was or which child it involved.
Participants can write their stories down in a letter or email attachment. Alternatively they may wish to record their stories on tape or speak to one of the researchers personally.
“When a new mother is unwell or unhappy it affects all the family,” says Professor White.
“Similarly if the new father is feeling stressed and traumatised following birth it affects his partner and family also. By learning more about what fathers experience, health professionals will be able to provide guidance and avoid potentially serious consequences.”
For further information contact: Associate Professor Gillian White G.White@massey.ac.nz
This is a laudable aim.
However if men’s issues were prioritised I’d much rather see money and resources going to the men I’ve met who suffer post-partum depression having had thier kids alienated from them by the family court.
Comment by Stephen — Mon 23rd May 2005 @ 10:51 am
As a loving Dad having a hard time being alienated from my children – it furthers the heartbreak when I think of what damage it is doing to my children.For all our children the damage must stop, and the money would be better spent stopping thousands & thousands of sad children rolling of the factory line as family court file numbers. They are mass produced by a hateful government.
dad4justice
Comment by Peter Burns — Mon 23rd May 2005 @ 5:49 pm
That’s right Peter.
There must be many thousands of anguished and grieving NZ dads who don’t get to see thier kids. Sweet FA is being done to those victims of a male hating divorce industry.
Meanwhile the pro-mom Star chamber that is the NZ Femily Caught continues on unabated.
It’s a national disgrace.
Comment by Stephen — Tue 24th May 2005 @ 12:48 pm
Right on the button, Stephen.
There is a far greater number of Dads separated from their children because the anti-Clark and her worshippers are so impoverished of the soul that they fail to see the value of The Family in New Zealand society.
It will be much more productive if research efforts are directed at Dads after separation from their children especially when the trauma of separation is exacerbated by the Child Support Agency because of their complete lack of empathy and inability to deal with people suffering a traumatic stress (equivalent to the death of a parent).
This is more than a national disgrace. That the state [in the guise of our house of “representatives”] can so actively seek to fragment The Family and minimise Dads is criminal negligence.
As Peter commented, “Bring back a family friendly New Zealand”. Hear, hear!
Comment by Ethos — Wed 25th May 2005 @ 6:13 pm
Wow. Research being done about Fathers? I wonder how long that will last. Or if it does – whether the results are let known to us.
Comment by Moose — Thu 30th June 2005 @ 11:20 pm