First-time fathers’ experiences of occupational change during the perinatal period: A qualitative study

Introduction: Becoming a father is a major life transition, and some men experience mental ill health during this period. As occupational therapists view wellbeing as fundamentally linked to participation in meaningful occupations, it is important to understand how fatherhood affects occupational engagement. This study explores first-time fathers’ perceptions of how their occupations change across the perinatal period. Method: Participants were recruited through father specific groups and social media. Six first-time fathers, all within 2 years of becoming parents, took part in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: Fathers described significant shifts in their occupational engagement, with both beneficial and challenging effects on wellbeing. Many noted conflicting societal expectations surrounding the ideal of the “involved father,” which influenced how they perceived their new role. Participants frequently felt unprepared for parenthood and highlighted the lack of accessible, father-specific support. Discussion: The transition to fatherhood brings substantial changes to daily occupations, as new roles emerge and existing activities are renegotiated. The tension between expectations of active involvement in parenting and ongoing workplace demands presents unique challenges, which are insufficiently addressed by current service provision. Occupational therapists are well placed to offer interventions to fathers during the perinatal period.