The needs of Maltese first-time parents during their transition to parenthood : implications for the development of an educational programme

Abstract

The process for identifying potential challenges of first-time parents’ transition to parenthood in programme conception is considered as critical in an educational encounter. The study used a mixed-method longitudinal design, to explore the experiences and perceptions of first-time parents between pregnancy and the first six months postnatal period and to examine if these issues could be addressed in an adult education programme. Four-hundred and forty-two randomly selected parents (221 couples) returned the survey's questionnaire-booklet during the antenatal period; 232 parents completed the study questionnaire booklet at all the data collection points (three time-frames). Twenty-six parents (13 couples) participated in the qualitative perspective of the study. The questionnaire- booklets were analysed using descriptive, profile analysis (MANOVA) and content analysis. The interviews were analysed using an interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Ethical considerations were prioritised. Overall results show a statistically significant difference in marital adjustment across the transition to parenthood for both women and men; women were statistically significantly more emotionally distressed at six weeks postnatal; women and men registered a statistically significant decrease in social support between six weeks and six months postnatal. With reference to family responsibilities, women assumed more responsibilities for household tasks over time. The work-life plan of the woman makes a difference in first-time parents’ psychosocial profiles during the transition to parenthood. From an IPA perspective five main analytic themes were identified. The transition to parenthood is a new journey that the parents have to live through to conceptualize their vulnerability, “their unpreparedness’. The discontinuity in health care support over the transition to parenthood could be a factor leading to the increase in emotional distress of parents, which was at its climax at six weeks postnatal. Maltese parents called for practical knowledge to help them face the transition. The interaction between the social support system and the professionals’ services available to new parents warrants more attention.