Dr Emily Atkinson
Postgraduate Research Student
Academic and research departments
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Psychology, Clinical Intervention and Practice Research Group.About
My research project
Understanding the father-infant relationship in fathers who have experienced mental health difficulties in the perinatal periodMy research will utilise qualitative methodology to explore how fathers with mental health difficulties make sense of developing a relationship with their baby. Research indicates that becoming a father is a significant period of change, which can make fathers vulnerable to developing mental health difficulties. Much of the current research focuses on mothers, and there is a lack of understanding of how these fathers experience the father-infant relationship. It is hoped this research will provide helpful insight into the experiences of fathers, which may infom the development of future-interventions to support the father-infant relationship and fathers' mental health.
Supervisors
My research will utilise qualitative methodology to explore how fathers with mental health difficulties make sense of developing a relationship with their baby. Research indicates that becoming a father is a significant period of change, which can make fathers vulnerable to developing mental health difficulties. Much of the current research focuses on mothers, and there is a lack of understanding of how these fathers experience the father-infant relationship. It is hoped this research will provide helpful insight into the experiences of fathers, which may infom the development of future-interventions to support the father-infant relationship and fathers' mental health.