Fatigue, a multidimensional and pervasive state (Piper, 1992), is the number one complaint of mothers and fathers after the birth of a baby. Fatigue decreases new parents' ability to cope with the tasks of parenting as well as with the task of maintaining their relationship. Research has identified many factors that influence prenatal and postpartum fatigue without differentiating between the effects of fatigue on new mothers versus new fathers. This second study in a program of research is designed to determine (a) if new mothers and new fathers experience fatigue differently during the ninth prenatal month and the first four months of the postpartum period, (b) to what extent factors relating to childbirth, infant characteristics, and parental characteristics lead to the development of postpartum fatigue, and (c) the effect of fatigue on new mothers' and new fathers' satisfaction with each other and with their infant, and on their confidence regarding infant care. Using a longitudinal, repeated measures design, men's and women's level of morning, afternoon, and evening fatigue will be examined in light of childbirth experiences, type of infant feeding method, infant temperament, age, sleep, use of outside resources, and self-report of depression. The extent to which fatigue affects the parenting outcomes of marital satisfaction, satisfaction with the infant, and infant care self-efficacy will be explored from the ninth prenatal month to the fourth month of the postpartum period. Fifty couples from rural and urban health care practices who are expecting their first baby will be recruited to participate in this study. Descriptive summary statistics, repeated measure analyses of variance (AN0VAs), and time-fixed correlational analyses will be used to test the aims of this study. The findings of this study will direct the development and implementation of nursing interventions to reduce the negative effects of fatigue on the functioning of new parents.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) (R15)
Project #
1R15NR004225-01
Application #
2258278
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG4-NURS (01))
Program Officer
Bryan, Yvonne E
Project Start
1996-06-01
Project End
1999-05-31
Budget Start
1996-06-01
Budget End
1999-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1996
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Department
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
City
Omaha
State
NE
Country
United States
Zip Code
68198
Hudson, Diane Brage; Campbell-Grossman, Christie; Fleck, Margaret Ofe et al. (2003) Effects of the New Fathers Network on first-time fathers' parenting self-efficacy and parenting satisfaction during the transition to parenthood. Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs 26:217-29
Elek, Susan M; Hudson, Diane Brage; Bouffard, Carla (2003) Marital and parenting satisfaction and infant care self-efficacy during the transition to parenthood: the effect of infant sex. Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs 26:45-57
Hudson, D B; Elek, S M; Fleck, C M (2001) First-time mothers' and fathers' transition to parenthood: infant care self-efficacy, parenting satisfaction, and infant sex. Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs 24:31-43