Paternal adaptation and role attainment: A concept analysis

ABSTRACT

@#Becoming a parent is a significant life transition accompanied by various experiences and emotions that may be both fulfilling and rewarding, as well as challenging and stressful for both the mother and father. Mercer's theory of becoming a mother provides a framework for mothers' adaptation and role attainment throughout the perinatal period. However, a theoretical gap exists surrounding fathers' adaptability and role attainment, as fathers are frequently forgotten, and their experiences are overlooked. Although becoming a father can be a rewarding or satisfying experience that results in positive changes in men's lives, some fathers experience concerns and contradictions as a result of a shift in their roles, responsibilities, and social expectations, which result in maladaptation and mental health challenges. Given the significance of fathers in the family, community, and society, this concept analysis aimed to bridge the gap by proposing a theory that will guide fathers in successfully adapting to and reaching a solid role identity. The concept analysis methodology from Walker and Avant (2011) was utilized to define the concept of paternal adaptation and role attainment, attributes, antecedents, consequences, cases, and empirical referents. This paper concludes that perinatal fathers' adaptability and role attainment improve psycho-emotional, cognitive, relational, and behavioral outcomes, improving paternal-maternal-infant quality of life and developmental products when influenced by positive personal resources, adequate family, friends support, and community resources. Given the implications of paternal maladaptation on the family, a theoretical framework for fathers is crucial. Hence, the theory of paternal adaptation and role attainment is proposed.