See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/281623696

The Ebb and Flow of Filipino First-Time Fatherhood Transition Space: A

Grounded Theory Study

Article  in  American journal of men's health · September 2015

DOI: 10.1177/1557988315604019

CITATION READS

1 137

3 authors, including:

Allan de Guzman
University of Santo Tomas
107 PUBLICATIONS   522 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Filipino Elderly View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Allan de Guzman on 05 September 2018.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

604019
research-article2015
JMHXXX10.1177/1557988315604019American Journal of Men’s HealthVillamor et al.

Fatherhood
American Journal of Men’s Health

The Ebb and Flow of Filipino

2016, Vol. 10(6) N51­–N62
© The Author(s) 2015
Reprints and permissions:
First-Time Fatherhood Transition Space: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav
DOI: 10.1177/1557988315604019

A Grounded Theory Study ajmh.sagepub.com

Neil Jupiter E. Villamor, RN, MAN1, Allan B. de Guzman, PhD1,

and Evangeline T. Matienzo, RN, MAN1

Abstract
Fatherhood, as a developmental process, is both a human experience and a text that needs to be read. For developing
nations like the Philippines, little is known about the process undergone by first-time fathers on their transition to
fatherhood, and how nurses can play a significant role in assisting them. This grounded theory study purported to
conceptualize the multifaceted process of transition from the lens of Filipino first-time fathers’ lived experiences. A
total of 20 first-time fathers from Metro Manila, Philippines, were purposively selected to take part in an individual,
semistructured, and in-depth interview. The Glaserian (classical) method of analysis was specifically used, and field
texts were inductively analyzed using a repertory grid. Member checking and correspondence were done to validate
the findings of the study. Six surfacing stages emerged relative to the process of transition. Interestingly, The B.R.I.D.G.E.
Theory of First-Time Fatherhood Transition Space describes how these fathers progress from the beholding, reorganizing,
inhibiting, delivering, grasping, and embracing phases toward successful transition. This emerged theoretical model can be
used in framing health care programs where the needs of fathers during this period are met and addressed. Finally, it
can also be used in guiding nurses in their provision of a more empathetic care for first-time fathers.

Keywords
fatherhood, Filipino, first-time, transition, grounded theory

Introduction been a growing interest in the nursing research literature on

Becoming a father is a process that entails transition
(Draper, 2003; Meleis, Sawyer, Im, Messias, &
Schumacher, 2000; Premberg, Carlsson, Hellström, &
Berg, 2011). Transition, as defined by Genesoni and
Tallandini (2009), is a staged physical, psychological,
and spiritual process consisting of movement from status
quo, or normal life, through a middle period of psycho-
logical reorganization and adaptation, to an incorporation
of the new circumstances into one’s inner and outer
world. As this is the case, transition may place additional
demands on the individual and may influence him in vari-
ous ways (Matthey, Barnett, Ungerer, & Waters, 2000;
Nyström & Ohrling, 2004).
the experiences and adjustments of fathers in their transi-
tion to fatherhood (Fägerskiöld, 2008). Health care schol-
ars assumed that men can share in their partners’ pregnancy
and that first-time fathers can be the most vulnerable to
various adjustments and difficulties (Condon, 2006).
Transition to fatherhood is evidently an inevitable turn-
ing point in men’s development. Several investigations
have attempted to explore this area and its effects on fathers’
well-being during the periods of pregnancy, childbirth, and
early postpartum (Bartlett, 2004; Buist, Morse, & Durkin,
2003; Thomas, Boner, & Hildingsson, 2011). Even though
fathers in these studies positively describe their experiences
as fulfilling (Eriksson, Salander, & Hamberg, 2007), some

Background
1
University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines

In the past, the underemphasis of expectant fathers’ vital
role in pregnancy and childbirth makes them the “forgotten
parent” (Diamond, 1986) in the realm of health care. As
scholarship advanced during the 21st century, there has
Corresponding Author:
Neil Jupiter E. Villamor, University of Santo Tomas The Graduate
School, Thomas Aquinas Research Complex España Boulevard, Manila
1008, Philippines.
Email: neiljupitervillamor@yahoo.com
N52 American Journal of Men’s Health 10(6)
problems and difficulties are still identified. Many continue
to feel that the transition to fatherhood is difficult and isolat-
ing (Draper, 2003; Jordan, 2007).
By and large, for a father to successfully undergo this
transitional event, a smooth process is warranted (Jones
& Prinz, 2005). Studies exploring such experience are
therefore essential in guiding health care providers in
developing care plans and interventions that facilitate this
process (St. Jorge & Fletcher, 2011). Nurses are specifi-
cally bound to understand and to anticipate the emerging
patterns of change as experienced in the transition and to
prepare fathers for these (Bradley, Mackenzie, & Boath,
2004).
The Social Context of Fatherhood
It is important to note that the transition process is greatly
influenced by the social context in which fathers live
(Genesoni & Tallandini, 2009). In recent years, the con-
cept of family-centered perinatal care that puts premium
on the involvement of prospective fathers has gradually
gained global acceptance mostly in European nations. It
has been advanced that various policies and legislations
to support fathers in becoming more involved in the peri-
natal period are closely connected to the achievement of
better health outcomes (World Health Organization,
2007). In Sweden, for example, fathers are provided a
2-month paternity leave to encourage an increased par-
ticipation in the perinatal period (Edhborg, Carlberg,
Simon, & Lindberg, 2016). However, this generous
opportunity for fathers to be more involved is not popular
among several economically developing countries. In the
Philippine society, current public policies and practices
applicable to fatherhood remain vague and conservative
in some aspects. For instance, the Paternity Leave Act of
1996 (Republic Act No. 8187) is the only existing legisla-
tion in the country that defines the leave benefits for
fathers. As stipulated in this law, only married prospec-
tive fathers can take a paternity leave of 7 days while
being entitled to a full pay. Such policies may certainly
limit fathers to lend support to their partners during those
critical periods and may have a negative impact on their
transition experience as well. In light of this social con-
text, empirical researches are therefore warranted with
an end view of eventually shaping better policies on
fatherhood in the Philippines.
Qualitative investigations dealing with the process of
transition to fatherhood from the context of a non-West-
ern culture and a developing country like the Philippines
have been notably sparse (Chin, Hall, & Daiches, 2011;
Genesoni & Tallandini, 2009). Hence, this grounded the-
ory study addresses the paucity of literature and purports
to answer the central question: What theory explains
Filipino first-time fathers’ transition to fatherhood? The
period of transition, in the context of this investigation,
will elucidate on Filipino first-time fathers’ lived experi-
ences from the time of the news of pregnancy up to the
first several weeks postpartum, specifically 4 to 6 weeks
after childbirth (Premberg et al., 2011; St. John, Cameron,
& McVeigh, 2005; Thomas et al., 2011). The early post-
natal period was chosen with the consideration that par-
ticipants should have had at least some time to become
accustomed to fatherhood while still having a fresh mem-
ory of the pregnancy and birth experience (Premberg
et al., 2011).
Method
Design
The Glaserian Grounded Theory Design was used in this
study. Moving beyond merely describing a certain phe-
nomenon, it intends to discover an explanatory theory or
an abstract analytical schema of basic social processes,
shaped and grounded from the views of a large number of
participants, and investigated in the environments in
which they take place (Glaser & Strauss, 1967).
Study Site and Participants
This study was conducted in Metro Manila, Philippines.
Due to its recognition as the political, economic, social,
cultural, and educational center of the country, this
highly urbanized region is a home for a culturally and
ethnically diverse population. This site was considered
for its potential to provide a selection with richer and
wider perspectives.
A total of 20 fathers were purposively recruited to par-
ticipate after meeting the following inclusion criteria: (a)
first-time father, (b) father to a healthy newborn, (c) resi-
dent of Metro Manila, (d) living with the mother of the
infant, and (e) willing to participate. As reported (Table 1),
the majority of the participants are categorized under the
20 to 40 age range, mostly not married and Roman
Catholics. In terms of educational attainment, a large
number has at least reached or finished tertiary level.
Most of them are employed, and having a combined fam-
ily monthly income of less than ₱20,000. Such amount is
more or less on the borderline average of a typical Filipino
family income (National Statistics Office, 2012).
Additionally, it is also interesting to note that majority of
these fathers reside in an extended family structure. In
this study, a nuclear family consists of a man and a woman
living together with their offspring (Medina, 2001); while
an extended family merges family of orientation consist-
ing of the individual, his parents, and all siblings, and
family of procreation consisting of the individual, his
spouse, and all his children (Medina, 2001).
Villamor et al. N53

Table 1.  Selection Characteristics (n = 20). was accomplished in both written and verbal forms and
was expressed with the use of the native Filipino lan-
Characteristics Number Percentage
guage. For fathers who agreed to participate, a signed
Age (years) informed consent, as well as their consent to allow the
 15-19 3 15 researcher to audio-record the interview, was secured.
 20-40 17 85 Consideration was given to the privacy and confidential-
Civil status ity of all participants as they were advised that no identi-
 Married 7 35 fying information would be associated with any report in
  Not married 13 65 any way. Furthermore, all accounts that were shared dur-
Religion ing the interviews were securely kept in a vault which is
  Roman Catholic 16 80 solely accessible to the researchers.
 Others 4 20
To produce accounts of sufficient depth and breadth, a
Highest educational attainment
three-stage interview (Seidman, 1991) was conducted.
 Tertiary 17 85
Preliminarily, rapport building, laying out the area of
 Secondary 3 15
exploration, and trying some initial forays into the topic
Occupation
 Employed 12 60
were the foci of the interview right after obtaining the
 Unemployed 5 25 consent and approval of potential participants while still
 Self-employed 3 15 at the hospital institution. Specifically, this initial inter-
Average monthly family income (Philippine Peso) view was done on the first or the second day after the
  Below 20,000 13 65 delivery of the newborn. Date and time during the early
  20,001 and above 7 35 postnatal period (4-6 weeks) for the second interview
Family structure were arranged with due consideration of the participants’
 Nuclear 3 15 convenience. Between the first and second interview, the
 Extended 17 85 participants were provided time to think more deeply
about the experience. Last, the third interview focused on
follow-up and clarification of accounts.
Instrumentation Individual, semistructured, and in-depth interviews
were held in Filipino language. Cognizant of the fact that
To collect the needed narratives, the researchers devised the basic social process of fathering takes place in the
a two-part data collection tool. The initial part focused on home, the primary researcher observed and conducted the
the pen portrait of each respondent. It is a corpus of data interviews particularly in the residences of the partici-
from where the characteristics of the selection are estab- pants. The entire tape-recorded interview, most specifi-
lished. The second part is an aide memoire (Table 2) cally in the second stage, took at least an hour on the
which was used openly to direct the three-staged semis- average. Whenever there is researcher–participant con-
tructured interview. It is a written guide that serves to aid tact during the entire data collection period, refreshments
the interviewer and the interviewee during the interview were provided to the whole family of the participant as a
process. It significantly contains “process-oriented” form of expressing gratitude for participating in this
questions revolving on the participants’ experiences from study.
the time they received the news of their partners’ preg-
nancy up to several weeks postpartum, specifically 4 to 6
weeks. It is important to note that questions within this Data Explicitation
guide were continuously formulated and developed as a The tape-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim
product of alternating data collection and analysis. An in the native language by the researchers. Subsequently,
expert group consisting of researchers and clinicians in the transcriptions were carefully translated into English
family nursing in Metro Manila carried out the validation to come up with the field text with due consideration of
of the interview guide. keeping the emic side of the language. This was success-
fully done with the assistance of a professional transla-
Data Collection Procedure and Ethical tion firm. Through repertory gridding, gathered accounts
were then subjected to the four major stages of the
Consideration
Glaserian (classical) grounded theory process of analysis
After obtaining ethical clearance from the institutional (Glaser, 1992), which include (a) open coding and com-
review board of the hospital institution from where par- paring incidents, (b) integrating categories and proper-
ticipants were primarily recruited, the nature and purpose ties, (c) selective coding and sorting memos, and (d)
of the study were discussed to eligible participants. This writing the theory.
N54 American Journal of Men’s Health 10(6)
Table 2. Aide-Memoire.
Concept
This segment of the interview will account for an in-depth reconstruction of your transition to fatherhood experiences from the
moment you received the news of your partner’s pregnancy up to this point in time in the early postpartum period. To facilitate
the retrieval of information, we will be dividing your experience into three segments.
I.  During the pregnancy period (Concerned with the
experiences of expectant fathers from the news of
pregnancy up to the admission of their partners for
delivery)
II.  At childbirth (Concerned with the experiences of
fathers-to-be while awaiting in the birthroom for
the birth of their first child)
III.  During the first several weeks postpartum
(Concerned with the experiences of new fathers
during the 4-6 weeks period after the birth of
their child)
Notably, data collection was done consistently in a “zig-
zag” manner through a series of gathering information, then
analysis of data, and back to gathering more information,
then analysis, and so forth (Creswell, 2013). Said process,
called constant comparative method of analysis (Glaser,
1992), is carried out until categories of information became
saturated and the evolving theory was elaborated in all its
complexity. In this investigation, saturation has been
achieved tremendously with the 20 recruited participants.
Hence, no further gathering of information was necessary.
Member-checking procedure (Long & Johnson, 2000)
and correspondence (de Guzman & Guillermo, 2007)
were observed to ensure the reflexivity, reliability, trust-
worthiness, and truthfulness of the emerged theory. The
primary researcher undertook these checks with the par-
ticipants by asking if the themes developed from the
codes were accurately describing their statements. Asking
the participants to read the definition and explanation of
the themes generated from the data in order to assess their
accuracy facilitated this process.
Findings
Analyzing from the depth and breadth of the participants’
individual verbalizations, a novel process emerged by
which transition to first-time fatherhood is accomplished
by a select group of Filipino first-time fathers. Interestingly,
The B.R.I.D.G.E. Theory of First-Time Fatherhood
Transition Space (Figure 1) depicts the process by which
first-time fathers transit to the beginning of a new chapter
Interview questions
(a) Can you describe how you felt during the time you received
the news of your partner’s pregnancy? How was it like for
you?
(b) What changes, if any, have you personally experienced
during the pregnancy period? Were you able to successfully
adapt to these changes? What mechanisms or ways did you
find helpful in your adjustment to these changes?
(c) How were your preparations for the birth of your child?
(a) How was it like waiting in the birthroom for the birth of
your child?
(b) What was your initial reaction when you heard that your
partner has just delivered?
(c) How were you during the first hours of being a new father?
(a) How were you feeling during those first days of being a new
father?
(b) How are your adjustments and your coping with the
pressures of being a father?
(c) How are you feeling now as a father?
in their lives. Said transition surfaced six distinct themes,
namely: the beholding, reorganizing, inhibiting, deliver-
ing, grasping, and embracing phases.
Similar to the structural design of a truss bridge, the
journey of first-time fathers as emerged from their lived
experience is characterized by ups and downs; hence, the
ebb and flow toward a successful transition. In like man-
ner that trusses of a bridge are subjected to tension and
compression in response to dynamic loads, fathers are
also bound to be resilient to the challenges and difficul-
ties of this journey, without overshadowing the boundless
joys and intangible rewards it brings. As represented, the
emerged phases of transition are embedded on the trusses
and are threaded from start to end to establish their grad-
ual but sequential interconnection.
Beholding Phase
In this study, the transition journey of first-time fathers
begins with the beholding phase where they start to com-
prehend the news of pregnancy and to entertain a space
characterized by variety of emotions. Initially, it is not
unexpected that these fathers feel surprised on receipt of the
news. As one participant shared, “At that point, I was
numbed for a while. It’s like everything came to a halt, and
everything tossed on me” (R3). For some of them, it even
took some time for this unexpected blessing to sink in their
minds. One father verbalized, “It took a while before it
really sank in. But of course, I was totally happy knowing
that I will be having my kid soon” (R16). Notably, they
Villamor et al. N55

FIRST-TIME
ME F
FATHERHOOD

TRANSITION SPACE
T PACE
Several Weeks
During Pregnancy At Childbirth Postpartum

Figure 1.  The B.R.I.D.G.E. Theory of First-Time Fatherhood Transition Space.

were filled with shock in the early stages of learning the
news. Gradually, as these fathers came to their senses, ques-
tions start to hover in their minds, as exemplified in this
verbalization: “I didn’t think about anything else other than
having a kid soon. I kept asking myself, ‘Am I ready for
this? Am I mature enough for this? Can I handle it? Am I
tough enough?’” (R3). While some may have entertained
questions, some others have already acknowledged a feel-
ing of unpreparedness to the situation as reflected in this
statement: “It felt like I was splashed with cold water. I was
aghast because I was thinking my focus was more on myself
only” (R1).
As the reality of the situation starts dawning on them,
these fathers also expressed mixed emotions ranging
from happiness, excitement, gratefulness, and even initial
fears. Most of them pictured this moment as indescrib-
able in a single emotion. One stated: “I was surprised and
happy yet sad, like that. My emotions were mixed” (R2).
It is certainly during this stage when fathers verbalized
the fulfillment of something they were wishing for and
dreaming of. One participant shared, “We knew right then
that she was pregnant. It was really our dream to have a
baby. And there, I was happy at the same time excited”
(R19). Such is the case, they subsequently expressed their
extreme happiness and gratefulness while acknowledging
this valuable, priceless, and God-given gift, as evidenced
in this verbalization: “I was excited, at the same time very
thankful because I was really praying to God to have one.
It’s a mix of many emotions. It is given by God” (R13).
Reorganizing Phase
about by fatherhood. For the sake of beginning a new
chapter in their lives, fathers start to undertake several
changes in perspectives as they verbalize their eagerness
to modify their former ways of life and to change for the
better. As the days count, one aspect of change has become
evident as these fathers start to see their ideal self, and
their willingness to persevere more, as verbalized:
Of course, before, you were only thinking about yourself,
now it’s like you have to think about the future of your
family. During that time when I learned that I was going to
be a daddy soon, I thought that I have to change . . . that it’s
not enough anymore that I am just a graduate. So, it has
become one of my goals to find job in the government as an
employee. And I also strived hard for me to pass the licensure
examination, to get eligibility for government work, and to
get the job I wanted. (R15)
This aspect is also complemented with a change in
mind-set among these fathers as evidenced by their con-
ceived change of priorities. One father said, “My priori-
ties have really changed too. By then, my priority was my
baby because I was already certain that the baby was
there yet” (R18).
As their mind-sets changed, these fathers also shared
about an unnoticeably surpassed change in their lifestyle,
which includes but not limited to modifying usual habits
and eradicating vices. One father boldly verbalized,
“Since the time my partner was pregnant, it’s like I have
personally changed too. I got rid of women, alcohol, all
vices, sir, they were totally gone” (R16). This aspect is
likewise concretized in this statement:

The reorganizing phase of transition describes first-time I think the only change in me is the kind of life I had before. I
fathers’ entry to a realm of subsequent changes brought would spend hours in the computer; sleep at dawn, then would
N56 American Journal of Men’s Health 10(6)
wake up, eat then sleep again, play basketball afterwards. As
simple as that, my life was comfortable before. (R5)
In the course of their transition journey, fathers were
also bound to face the most challenging adjustment. For
them, economic adjustment in the form of saving up for
short-term and long-term needs has been the toughest
responsibility, as one father shared:
Perhaps one big challenge for me before was my responsibility
for my baby. Of course, you need to save for his future. When
he grows up, he will definitely go to school. And so during
those times, I have already put in my mind that I needed
income, and I needed to earn. (R11)
Toward the end of this phase, fathers are situated in a
space where they are also bound to adapt to the physical,
social, and spiritual changes brought about by fatherhood.
Each day that passed, they observed certain bodily changes
and the most notable is gaining weight since fathers did
not anymore find time to exercise. One father admitted:
Seeing myself then, I really gained weight. Before, I
regularly go to the gym, and then I also play physical games.
I can say at some point that I was physically fit. But since the
time I learned about my wife’s pregnancy, I needed to attend
to her almost every time and so I found no time for those
activities I used to do. But for me it doesn’t matter! (R1)
Fatherhood has also brought about two distinct social
changes. On one hand, there has been a notable positive
change in partner relationship such that these fathers
started to value and to love their partners even more. One
father affirmed, “When my partner was already pregnant,
I felt like my partnership with her was more valuable”
(R3). On the other hand, there have been slight changes in
relating to their peers because of putting much of their
attention to the pregnancy. One participant shared,
“Socially, my meet-ups with friends, night out, basketball
games, birthday parties, all social gatherings . . . all these
were lessened. Everything was limited since I needed to
take care of my wife” (R9). And finally, fathers mostly
described another positive change in their spiritual lives
characterized by a heightened spirituality. One of their
significant articulations was:
A noticeable change is that before, I was praying for my
career, and for my day to day living. But then, I had some
other things to pray for, and that was for the good health of
my baby and my partner. It’s totally different then, what you
were asking, what you were thanking for. (R1)
Inhibiting Phase
While the foregoing first segment of transition deals with
the experiences of awaiting fathers during pregnancy, the
second segment of transition narrates their experiences at
childbirth. As fathers entered this period, they initially
worried and feared about what to come and about other
aspects that relate to the welfare of both the mother and
the baby, dubbed as the inhibiting phase. Whether or not
these fathers were present in the birthroom, they all
exemplified extreme uneasiness, worry, nervousness, and
feeling of discomfort while waiting because of not know-
ing what is happening inside the delivery room. One
expressed, “I was outside the room that time, I was wor-
ried because I couldn’t see what was happening to them,
especially when I was hearing that she’s screaming, that
it was painful” (R6).
Concurrently, these fathers also expressed their intense
fear about the possible unlikeable outcomes of pregnancy
and childbirth. Potential death of mother or the baby due
to complications of birthing process, along with possible
disabilities and deformities of the baby, was the dreadful
thought these fathers were having. It was shared:
She was having a lengthy labor period. What I have been
feeling was a mixture of fear, happiness, something like that.
I was fearful for both their safety and welfare. You know
sometimes it’s an inevitable thing, that when the baby is out,
he is dead, or it’s the mother who was not saved. I was also
thinking, what if my baby has physical deformities. I’ve
been tried that moment. (R6)
But amid all these worries and fears, the participants
have completely submitted themselves to God and
impressively turned to prayer. During this inhibiting
period, prayers have been their steady armor, as reflected
by this verbalization:
I was really scared, and I kept on praying and praying during
that time. I was praying that everything will be fine and that
there will be no complications on the baby and my partner.
Actually, during that time, I was at a fieldwork. So I was
really fearful since I did not know what was happening. I
was not there. But at the same time, I lifted everything to
God. (R15)
Delivering Phase
As soon as the birthing process concludes, fathers
abruptly transit to the next phase called the delivering
phase. This period is characterized by fathers’ sense of
emancipation on hearing about the safe and healthy birth-
ing process, as well as their acknowledgement of the
arrival of the baby. Fathers, on seeing their child for the
first time, entered a realm where a sense of relief and
freedom from all the worries and fears are felt. One father
expressed, “While I was waiting outside, I was also wait-
ing to hear the first cry of my baby. And when I heard a
baby cry, it’s like I was unloaded of a heavy burden I was
carrying on my chest” (R10). As these fathers unloaded,
Villamor et al. N57
they also verbalized their gratefulness and expressed an
unexplainable joy for the positive outcomes of delivery,
as described:
Of course, I was very happy when I learned that it was a
normal delivery and my wife was safe. I was really thankful
to God for finally my baby got delivered healthily and safely,
and that my wife was okay during the whole pregnancy. I felt
relieved. (R9)
It is also interesting to note that as early as this period,
they express a sense of ownership of the child by expli-
cating an almost indescribable father–baby connection.
One father claimed:
When I rushed into the hospital to see them, I saw a baby
beside my wife. I really can’t explain but it’s like there was
a connection . . . I knew by then she was my baby . . . she
really was!” (R15)
Eventually, fathers also verbalize their claim of
facial resemblance with the newborn, as supported by this
statement:
I was very happy. I mean, he looks like me. When he was
already out, you would see he really looked like me. My
siblings were even saying that our child did not get any
resemblance from his mother. It’s incomparable happiness.
(R11)
Grasping Phase
The grasping phase of transition comes in immediately
after childbirth where fathers are situated in a space with
much uncertainty of what to do. Described as a first-time
and a firsthand situation, this phase is primarily depicted
with fear and hesitation in caring for the baby. For these
fathers, not knowing the hows of caring skills makes them
fearful and hesitant in providing fatherly care, as men-
tioned, “I called for help, because at that time I really did
not know how to do it, I was unskilled of doing it yet”
(R13). Another participant elaborated without reservation:
While I was carrying the baby, she cried. That was the first
time I heard her cry. I really panicked because it was my first
time in such situation. And this is my own child, how will I
be able to calm her, I was asking myself. I really did not
know how. (R1)
Such hesitation and fear of fathers are also attributed
to their acknowledgement of the fragility of the baby, as
reflected in this verbalization: “His body was so soft. I
just held him for like ten seconds, and then I passed
him back because I was really afraid I might cause him
harm” (R6).
Consequently, this situation prompts these fathers to
collect pieces of advice, opinions, and tips about things
they need to know and skills they need to perform from
their own fathers, both parents, siblings who are fathers
themselves, some peers, and even online resources. One
participant acknowledged, “I know my mother and my
father are more knowledgeable so I sought their help on
how would I do things” (R13). Another participant vali-
dated, “From then, I started to seek advice, of course,
from my father. It’s like . . . he has been there, he experi-
enced what I was experiencing by then. I openly received
his opinions and pieces of advice” (R14).
Embracing Phase
After surpassing every uphill and downhill of early
fatherhood, the participants progressively moved on to
the terminal point of this theory, termed as embracing
phase, which brings them into a space of total acceptance
of their new role. In this phase, they become much aware
of the psychic rewards of fatherhood which include real-
izing the intangible and self-actualizing aspects. For
them, becoming a father is a fulfilling and a priceless
endeavor, as one claimed:
There were indeed many adjustments. I personally accepted
them instead of considering them as stressors. I was really
telling myself . . . they’re already there; I had nothing left to
do than to face them with responsibility. In fact, if you don’t
accept them as early as possible, it will be more difficult
later on. After all, it is so fulfilling to become a father. It’s
priceless! (R14)
Along the way, these fathers continue to adjust to a
more demanding life. But amid all the hardships faced,
they continue to possess a happy disposition, as evi-
denced by this statement:
Even if I get tired and get challenged at most times, seeing
my baby relieves me from everything heavy. Yes, it’s true.
For instance, whenever I get home, just by merely looking at
him and seeing him smile, or even cry, make me feel all
right. (R12)
While developing a positive attitude, the participants’
readiness to embark on a new responsibility was evi-
denced by their tendency to acknowledge the place of
learning the rope. Accordingly, one shared, “I think it is
learning in progress—that is something that you learn
every day. I mean you can never be perfect and it is some-
thing I’ve learned to do every day” (R3).
Finally, these realizations enable fathers to also start
defining their goals for their own families. Tellingly, most
of them look straightforward to the direction of providing
only the best life for their families by being a good provider
N58 American Journal of Men’s Health 10(6)
and a role model, as this father wrapped up, “I told myself,
‘I am already on a different stage of my life, and I am no
longer a gentleman.’ You really need to plan ahead. You
also need to set direction for your family” (R14).
Discussion
While it is true that transition to fatherhood experiences
in the context of developing nations remains a blind spot
in nursing research literature, this qualitative study pro-
vides a novel insight into how Filipino first-time fathers
narrativize their own experiences. Journeying toward
fatherhood is clearly a process and not just a single event
in a man’s life (Jordan, 2007; Pollock, Quinton, &
Golding, 2002). Filipino first-time fathers who partici-
pated in this study describe their transition in a similar
way, one which is complex and further typified by a vari-
ety of emotions felt, challenges faced, and rewards
received. The beholding phase, for instance, signals the
starting point of their journey. Fathers entertain in here a
space characterized by mixed feelings as they begin to
comprehend the news of their partners’ pregnancy.
Findings from previous studies mirror similar feelings of
fathers on receipt of the news (Jordan, 2007; Meleis et al.,
2000; Schumacher, Zubaran, & White, 2008). Earlier,
Lemmer (1987) reviewed the literature and one of the
identified common themes is fathers’ ambivalence during
the early period of their partners’ pregnancy. While this
event mainly evoked a sense of euphoria and pride for
some, a feeling of anxiety may also take its place primar-
ily because of these fathers’ anticipation of expanded
responsibilities among others (Edward, Castle, Mills,
Davis, & Casey, 2015).
It is interesting to note that as fathers descend from the
heights of their emotions, their perspectives and mind-
sets also changed gradually. The reorganizing phase then
starts as they enter a realm of eagerness to modify their for-
mer ways of life and change for the better. Becoming a
father seems to be a powerful motivating force for these par-
ticipants to improve themselves through changing how they
have been or are currently living their lives (Greenhalgh,
Slade, & Spiby, 2000; Lemay, Cashman, Elfenbein, &
Felice, 2010). Particularly, expectant fathers modify daily
behavior throughout the pregnancy period which may
include but not limited to increasing their level of responsi-
bility in the family, saving and economizing, and decreasing
or eradicating vices (Sansiriphun, Kantaruksa, Klunklin,
Baosuang, & Jordan, 2010). While literature points out that
childbirth is the most stressful time for fathers, present stud-
ies noted pregnancy as being the most stressful because of
psychological reorganization during this period (Condon,
Boyce, & Corkindale, 2004). On a lighter note, Fägerskiöld
(2008) emphasized that however unpredictable these fathers’
changing life was, it was mostly connected to positive
feelings. These findings, on the whole, are evidently in
substantial agreement with the transformative perspec-
tive of the effects of fatherhood (Knoester & Eggebeen,
2006). As days unfold during the pregnancy period,
fathers were also inevitably bound to adapt physical,
social, and spiritual changes. First, gaining weight, the
most notable physical change, may be attributed as con-
sequential to changes in these men’s commitments and
priorities, which in turn lessened their time to engage in
sports, exercise, and other physical activities. Sympathy
eating with the expectant mother could also account for
this physical change. In addition, fatherhood may also
encourage fathers to modify their social relationships,
prompting them to spend lesser time with associates and
friends (Knoester & Eggebeen, 2006) as they become
more partner focused. Such is the case, fathers in this
study reported a more loving and a more valuable rela-
tionship with their partners. This observation affirms that
changing partner relationship, usually resulting to a more
closely united one, is common even at the stage of preg-
nancy (Fägerskiöld, 2008). Last, most of the participants
in this study described also a positive change in their
spiritual lives. Filipino fathers see their children as a gift
and a grace from God, and this view may possibly, in
turn, have encouraged and motivated them to become
more spiritual. Indeed, fatherhood’s association with
increased levels of religiosity is noted (Eggebeen &
Knoester, 2001).
While the pregnancy period is mainly characterized by
a more psychological transition, childbirth is described as
the biological aspect (Draper, 2003). It is during this
period when fathers entered the inhibiting phase or the
stage where they all exemplified extreme uneasiness cou-
pled with their intense fear of the possible outcomes of
pregnancy and other aspects that relate to the welfare of
both the mother and the child. Similarly, this theme echoes
the results of previous studies reviewed which narrativ-
ized men’s experiences during labor and delivery wherein
they felt ill-prepared (Bartlett, 2004; Draper, 2003), help-
less, useless, and anxious (Greenhalgh et al., 2000), as
well as uncertain, powerless, and lonely (Ekström,
Arvidsson, Falkenström, & Thorstensson, 2013). Clearly,
these symptoms felt suggest that this phase is a critical
turning point in their transition experience. If fathers were
provided advanced information, these feelings would
have been partly avoided. Fägerskiöld (2008) asserted that
stressful events such as childbirth, coupled with fathers’
feeling of insecurity during this period, do not facilitate a
positive transition experience. It is therefore imperative
for health care providers to recognize these fathers’ intense
feelings of helplessness and anxiety since inattention may
negatively contribute to their experiences. It is assumed
that when fathers’ experiences are more positive, their
capacity to support their partners will likely increase too.
Villamor et al. N59
This, in turn, may contribute positively to both their expe-
riences of childbirth.
No matter how stressful the initial part of childbirth
for them, fathers gradually proceeded to the delivering
phase of their transition where they, on seeing their child
for the first time, entered a realm of freedom from worries
and fears. This phase of the theory, as described congru-
ently in the literature (Ekström et al., 2013; Poh, Koh,
Seow, & He, 2014; Premberg et al., 2011) pictured fathers
expressing feelings of relief after childbirth when their
fears for their partners’ and babies’ health dissipated.
Notably, the participants of this study also manifested a
sense of ownership of the child. Jordan (2007) supported
this observation when she pointed out that fathers seek to
“claim” their child by identifying paternal or familial
features.
Meanwhile, it is in the grasping phase, which proxi-
mately proceeds after childbirth that fathers are situated in
a vacuum with much uncertainty of what to do. In this
phase, the literature describes fathers’ frustrations of not
being involved and their perceptions of not being skilled
in caregiving (Buist et al., 2003; de Montigny & Lacharite,
2004). Evidently, the acquisition of the said skill is vital
for these fathers during this period. By acquiring the nec-
essary caregiving skills, such as recognizing baby’s needs,
feeding the infant, learning to change diapers, among oth-
ers, fathers may be able to take control of the new situa-
tion (de Montigny & Lacharite, 2004; St. John et al.,
2005). Social support may then, in part, play an essential
role in this phase of transition since the arrival of the new-
born is not only considered as a major developmental
challenge but also a critical period of learning the rope for
these first-time fathers. Similar to recent studies (Fenwick,
Bayes, & Johnson, 2012; Forsyth, Skouteris, Wertheim,
Paxton, & Milgrom, 2011; Poh et al., 2014), fathers in this
study received help and support in all forms from multiple
sources such as both parents, their own fathers, friends
who are fathers, and even Internet resources, thereby giv-
ing them later a feeling of reassurance. Evidently, support
coming from the health care group during this period was
considerably unacknowledged.
Finally, after the participant succeeds in overcoming
the initial challenges and difficulties of being a first-time
father, he enters the terminal point of this theory, the
embracing phase, which brings him into a space of total
acceptance of his new role while enabling him to define
his goals for his family. Reports from earlier qualitative
studies pointed out that postpartum experience of father-
hood, particularly during the first several weeks, can be
challenging especially for first-time fathers (Bartlett,
2004) since it may demand adjustment to a completely
new life situation (Premberg, Hellström, & Berg, 2008). It
is however noteworthy how the participants in this study
were able to embrace their new life as first-time fathers.
Resilience, as one of the notable Filipino traits, may in
part contributed to this successful transition. Interestingly,
this phase also describes how the couple relationship
begins to be much outshone by the presence of the child,
hence gradually transforming the former dual relation-
ship into a triadic one (Genesoni & Tallandini, 2009).
Such is the case, part of fathers’ mind-set has changed to
include the child in their commitments and priorities in
life. It is evident in this study that to provide for their
family, as well as to become role models, is the most
common goal of these fathers. As providing is central to a
father’s identity (Christiansen & Palkovitz, 2001;
Williams, 2008), the provider role should be a focus of
attention too.
Summarily, nurses have a key interventional role in the
transition process as these fathers seek and need health
care guidance. In the beholding and reorganizing stages,
the role of the nurse is primarily educative. They are
bound to involve fathers in the antenatal education and to
assess their individual learning needs in order to alleviate
their frustrations and their sense of unpreparedness. In the
inhibiting and delivering stages, the role of the nurse is
basically supportive. They are just bound to listen, to
acknowledge, and to empathize with these fathers who are
in their extremes of emotions. And last, in the grasping
and embracing phases, the role of the nurse is essentially
facilitative. They are bound to guide and to engage fathers
toward the achievement of their goals for their families.
Overall, this study echoes the claim about the centrality of
transitions in the nursing discipline (Meleis et al., 2000) in
which nurses provide interventions aimed at assisting cli-
ent toward a healthful transition.
Limitations of the Study
However interesting the emerged theoretical model is,
several limitations of this qualitative investigation should
be the foci of future researches. These parameters stem
largely from the demographic characteristics of the par-
ticipants. Previous studies have advanced that father’s
involvement in the childbearing and child-rearing periods
may be influenced by a number of contextual features
such as sociodemographics (Doherty, Kouneski, &
Erickson, 1998; Goldscheider, Hofferth, Spearin, &
Curtin, 2009; Summers, Boller, Schiffman, & Raikes,
2006). First, although most of the first-time fathers in this
study are employed and have finished tertiary level of
education, they were largely coming from the context of
lower income families. Coming from such background, it
is assumed that they are likely to face more challenges and
difficulties related to limited resources as they prepare and
face the transition process. On the contrary, higher income
fathers may exhibit a different and a unique pattern of
transition to first-time fatherhood. Second, most of the
N60 American Journal of Men’s Health 10(6)
participants of the study are not married to their partners.
Such status may possibly be relative to the extent of com-
mitment and involvement of these fathers during the period
of transition. Third, the participants’ age bracket could be
another limitation as there were no participants who were
older than 40 years old. It can possibly be assumed that the
experiences and views of older fathers may significantly
differ from those who participated in this study. Fourth,
majority of the participants reside in an extended family
structure. As this is the case, the provision of social support
from the significant others may partly have facilitated
these participants’ transition experience. And last, the par-
ticipants are fathers to a healthy newborn. Since this inclu-
sion criterion was set, the emerged theory describes
first-time fathers’ successful transition to fatherhood.
Hence, this theory did not account for those fathers who
may have not qualified relative to this criterion.
It is likewise noteworthy that the locus of this investi-
gation is an urbanized region in the Philippines. A ques-
tion may be raised whether fathers from the rural areas of
the country will manifest similar experiences. Future
studies should also seek to explore on possible variations
of the theory from both local and global contexts. It
would also be interesting to explore on how various poli-
cies and legislations influence the experience. Further
theorizing about first-time fatherhood is therefore war-
ranted with consideration on how these given points
affect the transition process.
Conclusion
This qualitative inquiry purported to conceptualize the
process of transition to fatherhood among Filipino first-
time fathers. From the in-depth individual interviews
conducted with the participants, six distinct themes
emerged, namely, the beholding, reorganizing, inhibiting,
delivering, grasping, and embracing phases. Said stages
provide a panoramic understanding of how the partici-
pants go through the transition experience, from the
moment they learned about their partners’ pregnancy
until the first several weeks postpartum.
As it turns out in this study, transition journey to
fatherhood can be extremely difficult and challenging,
but this is particularly true when first-time fathers are not
provided with the necessary and practical guidance for
them to successfully cross the process. Hence, The
B.R.I.D.G.E. Theory of First-Time Fatherhood Transition
Space may serve as a springboard from which to frame
health education strategies and contents for the benefit of
these first-time fathers. In nursing research, its relevance
is acknowledged by serving as a comprehensive theoreti-
cal model from which to base and to generate future stud-
ies in the field. In a similar way, nurse practitioners and
student-nurses may also greatly benefit from this study
since it provides them a valuable and a concrete guide in
identifying and addressing needs of these fathers at each
specific phase in the transition space. With a much greater
understanding of what specific support is best at a par-
ticular time, nurses will be able to provide a more empa-
thetic care for these fathers.
This investigation contributes to the continually
expanding literature about transition to fatherhood expe-
riences of fathers. It is just one of the very few qualitative
studies which investigated the said layer of human
experience from the lens of a non-Western culture and a
developing country. This study therefore invites future
exploration from a cross-cultural perspective so as to
identify points of convergence and divergence in regard
to the emerged theoretical model.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with
respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this
article.
Funding
The author(s) received no financial support for the research,
authorship, and/or publication of this article.
References
Bartlett, E. (2004). The effects of fatherhood on the health of
men: A review of the literature. Journal of Men’s Health &
Gender, 1, 159-169.
Bradley, E., Mackenzie, M., & Boath, E. (2004). The experi-
ence of first-time fatherhood: A brief report. Journal of
Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 22, 45-47.
Buist, A., Morse, C., & Durkin, S. (2003). Men’s adjustment
to fatherhood: Implications for obstetric health care.
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 32,
172-180.
Chin, R., Hall, P., & Daiches, A. (2011). Fathers’ experiences
of their transition to fatherhood: A metasynthesis. Journal
of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 29, 4-18.
Christiansen, S., & Palkovitz, R. (2001). Why the “good pro-
vider” role still matters: Providing as a form of paternal
involvement. Journal of Family Issues, 22, 84-106.
Condon, J. (2006). What about dad? Psychosocial and mental
health issues for new fathers. Australian Family Physician,
35, 690-692.
Condon, J., Boyce, P., & Corkindale, C. (2004). The first-time
fathers study: A prospective study of the mental health
and wellbeing of men during the transition to fatherhood.
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 38, 56-64.
Creswell, J. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design:
Choosing among five approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage.
de Guzman, A., & Guillermo, M. (2007). The serendipity of
principalship: Meaning-making of a Filipino secondary
Villamor et al. N61
school principal. Asia Pacific Education Review, 8,
216-223.
de Montigny, F., & Lacharite, C. (2004). Fathers’ perceptions
of the immediate postpartal period. Journal of Obstetric,
Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 33, 328-339.
Diamond, M. (1986). Becoming a father: A psychoanalytic per-
spective on the forgotten parent. Psychoanalytic Review,
73, 445-468.
Doherty, W., Kouneski, E., & Erickson, M. (1998). Responsible
fathering: An overview and conceptual framework. Journal
of Marriage and the Family, 60, 277-292.
Draper, J. (2003). Men’s passage to fatherhood: An analysis of
the contemporary relevance of transition theory. Nursing
Inquiry, 10, 66-77.
Edhborg, M., Carlberg, M., Simon, F., & Lindberg, L. (2016).
“Waiting for better times”: Experiences in the first post-
partum year by Swedish fathers with depressive symptoms.
American Journal of Men’s Health, 10, 428-439.
Edward, K., Castle, D., Mills, C., Davis, L., & Casey, J. (2015).
An integrative review of paternal depression. American
Journal of Men’s Health, 9, 26-34.
Eggebeen, D., & Knoester, C. (2001). Does fatherhood matter
for men? Journal of Marriage and Family, 63, 381-393.
Ekström, A., Arvidsson, K., Falkenström, M., & Thorstensson,
S. (2013). Fathers’ feelings and experiences during preg-
nancy and childbirth: A qualitative study. Journal of
Nursing Care, 2(2), 1-5.
Eriksson, C., Salander, P., & Hamberg, K. (2007). Men’s expe-
riences of intense fear related to childbirth investigated in
a Swedish qualitative study. Journal of Men’s Health &
Gender, 1, 409-418.
Fägerskiöld, A. (2008). A view from inside the family—
Becoming a father: A change in life as experienced
by first-time fathers. Scandinavian Journal of Caring
Sciences, 22, 64-71.
Fenwick, J., Bayes, S., & Johnson, M. (2012). A qualitative
investigation into the pregnancy experiences and child-
birth expectations of Australian fathers-to-be. Sexual &
Reproductive HealthCare, 3, 3-9.
Forsyth, C., Skouteris, H., Wertheim, H., Paxton, S., &
Milgrom, J. (2011). Men’s emotional responses to their
partner’s pregnancy and their views on support and infor-
mation received. Australian and New Zealand Journal of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 51, 53-56.
Genesoni, L., & Tallandini, M. (2009). Men’s psychological
transition to fatherhood: An analysis of the literature, 1989-
2008. Birth, 36, 305-318.
Glaser, B. (1992). Basics of grounded theory analysis. Mill
Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
Glaser, B., & Strauss, A. (1967). The discovery of grounded
theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago, IL:
Aldine.
Goldscheider, F., Hofferth, S., Spearin, C., & Curtin, S. (2009).
Fatherhood across two generations: Factors affecting early
family roles. Journal of Family Issues, 30, 586-604.
Greenhalgh, R., Slade, P., & Spiby, H. (2000). Fathers’ coping
style, antenatal preparation, and experiences of labor and
the postpartum. Birth, 27, 177-184.
Jones, T., & Prinz, R. (2005). Potential roles of parental self-
efficacy in parent and child adjustment: A review. Clinical
Psychology Review, 25, 341-363.
Jordan, P. (2007). Enhancing understanding of the transition to
fatherhood. International Journal of Childbirth Education,
22(2), 4-6.
Knoester, C., & Eggebeen, D. (2006). The effects of the transi-
tion to parenthood and subsequent children on men’s well-
being and social participation. Journal of Family Issues,
27, 1532-1560.
Lemay, C., Cashman, S., Elfenbein, D., & Felice, M. (2010).
A qualitative study of the meaning of fatherhood
among young urban fathers. Public Health Nursing, 27,
221-231.
Lemmer, C. (1987). Becoming a father: A review of nursing
research on expectant fatherhood. Journal of Maternal and
Child Nursing, 16, 261-275.
Long, T., & Johnson, M. (2000). Rigour, reliability and validity
in qualitative research. Clinical Effectiveness in Nursing,
4, 30-37.
Matthey, S., Barnett, B., Ungerer, J., & Waters, B. (2000).
Paternal and maternal depressed mood during the transi-
tion to parenthood. Journal of Affective Disorders, 60,
75-85.
Medina, B. (2001). The Filipino family. Quezon City,
Philippines: University of the Philippines Press.
Meleis, A., Sawyer, L., Im, E., Messias, D., & Schumacher,
K. (2000). Experiencing transitions: An emerging middle-
range theory. Advances in Nursing Science, 3, 12-28.
National Statistics Office. (2012). Filipino families in the
poorest decile earn six thousand pesos monthly, on aver-
age in 2012 (Results from the 2012 Family Income and
Expenditure Survey). Retrieved from http://census.gov.ph/
content/filipino-families-poorest-decile-earn-six-thousand-
pesos-monthly-average-2012-results-2012
Nyström, K., & Ohrling, K. (2004). Parenthood experiences
during the child’s first year. Journal of Advanced Nursing,
46, 319-330.
Poh, H., Koh, S., Seow, H., & He, H. (2014). First-time fathers’
experiences and needs during pregnancy and childbirth: A
descriptive qualitative study. Midwifery, 30, 779-787.
Pollock, S., Quinton, D., & Golding, J. (2002). The transition
to fatherhood in young men. Youth Citizenship and Social
Change, 8. Retrieved from http://www.fatherhoodinsti-
tute.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Quinton-Pollock-
Transition-to-fatherhood-in-young-men.pdf
Premberg, A., Carlsson, G., Hellström, A., & Berg, M. (2011).
First-time fathers’ experiences of childbirth—A phenom-
enological study. Midwifery, 27, 848-853.
Premberg, A., Hellström, A., & Berg, M. (2008). Experiences
of the first year as father. Scandinavian Journal of Caring
Sciences, 22, 56-63.
Sansiriphun, N., Kantaruksa, K., Klunklin, A., Baosuang, C., &
Jordan, P. (2010). Thai men becoming a first-time father.
Nursing & Health Sciences, 12, 403-409.
Schumacher, M., Zubaran, C., & White, G. (2008). Bringing
birth-related paternal depression to the fore. Women and
Birth, 21, 65-70.
N62 American Journal of Men’s Health 10(6)
Seidman, I. (1991). Interviewing as qualitative research. New
York, NY: Teachers College Press.
St. John, W., Cameron, C., & McVeigh, C. (2005). Meeting the
challenge of new fatherhood during the early weeks. Journal
of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 34, 180-189.
St. Jorge, J., & Fletcher, R. (2011). Fathers online: Learning
about fatherhood through the internet. Journal of Perinatal
Education, 20, 154-162.
Summers, J., Boller, K., Schiffman, R., & Raikes, H. (2006).
The meaning of “good fatherhood”: Low-income fathers’
View publication stats
social constructions of their roles. Parenting: Science and
Practice, 6, 145-165.
Thomas, J., Boner, A., & Hildingsson, I. (2011). Fathering
in the first few months. Scandinavian Journal of Caring
Sciences, 25, 499-509.
Williams, S. (2008). What is fatherhood? Searching for the
reflexive father. Sociology, 42, 487-502.
World Health Organization. (2007). Fatherhood and health
outcomes in Europe. Retrieved from http://www.euro.who.
int/document/e91129.pdf