The effectiveness of an Internet-based intervention, the New Fathers Network, was tested in improving first-time fathers' parenting self-efficacy and parenting satisfaction during the first 8 weeks following their infants' birth as compared with no intervention (Comparison Group). Parenting self-efficacy and satisfaction scores for the Intervention Group significantly improved from 4 to 8 weeks; parenting self-efficacy and satisfaction scores for the Comparison Group to which no intervention was given did not change significantly. Participants were primarily satisfied with the New Fathers Network.

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The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine mothers’ and fathers’ reports of fatigue prior to and after the birth of their first child. Data from 44 couples were collected from the 9th month of the mothers’ pregnancy to 4 months postpartum. Both parents’ reports of fatigue significantly increased from before to 1 month after the birth of the child, then remained stable. Mothers’and fathers’level of fatigue did not differ after the birth of the child, although fathers experienced a greater change in their reports of fatigue than mothers. Couples always reported less morning fatigue than nighttime fatigue but still reported mild to moderate levels of morning fatigue. At different times, the mother’s fatigue was related to her marital satisfaction, depression, income, and maternity leave; the father’s fatigue was most often related to his age, income, and depression. Implications for family functioning, nursing assessment, and family interventions are discussed.

The threefold purposes of our study were to determine differences between first-time mothers' and fathers' development of infant care self-efficacy and parenting satisfaction, relationships between mothers' and fathers' infant care self-efficacy and parenting satisfaction, and the effect of infant sex on the development of mothers' and fathers' infant care self-efficacy and parenting satisfaction during the first 4 months following the infant's birth. A convenience sample of 44 couples in a midwestern state completed the Demographic Questionnaire, the Infant Care Survey, and What Being the Parent of a New Baby is Like-Revised. Fathers' reports of infant care self-efficacy increased linearly during the first 4 months following the infant's birth while mothers' reports of infant care self-efficacy increased linearly during the first 3 months. At all data collection times, fathers reported significantly lower infant care self-efficacy than mothers. Reports of parenting satisfaction increased over time for mothers and fathers. At 8, 12, and 16 weeks following the infant's birth, mothers' infant care self-efficacy scores were significantly related to their parenting satisfaction scores. Fathers' infant care self-efficacy scores were significantly related to their parenting satisfaction scores at 12 and 16 weeks. Fathers of male infants had significantly higher parenting satisfaction scores than fathers of female infants at 12 and 16 weeks following the infant's birth. Nurses can develop individualized interventions to assist mothers and fathers during the transition to parenthood.

These findings support the multidimensional nature of fatigue and indicate a need for perinatal health caregivers to develop individualized interventions for mothers during the last trimester of pregnancy. Fathers should also participate in future research of factors influencing the prenatal and postpartum experience.