Annie Devault

Work and Social Integration of Young Men Who Become Fathers

The article is based on research conducted with a group of young fathers (n=43) who participated in interviews and focus groups centred on their experiences as young fathers. Specific discussion topics included the changes fatherhood brought about in their lives, their relationships with the childs mother, the obstacles they faced in assuming their parental role and the support they received. Qualitative analysis of the results shows that most young fathers want to become involved with their child and are willing to make significant changes in their lives in order to fulfill their role (e.g., becoming more responsible, finding a job and reducing substance use). The arrival of a child appeared to have an impact on two central dimensions that make up an individual: work transition and social integration. Results concerning these two dimensions are presented with reference to Castels (1994) framework.

Fathers’ Perspectives on Their Relationship With Their Infant in the Context of Breastfeeding

Research has demonstrated beneficial effects on children’s development of both breastfeeding and fathers’ involvement. Evidence has also shown that breastfeeding could influence paternal behaviors. Since there is little data available on paternal representations of breastfeeding and on its effects on paternal involvement, the aim of the present study is to bridge that gap by examining fathers’ perceptions of their relationship with their infant in the context of breastfeeding. Semistructured interviews were carried out with 43 fathers of an infant who had been exclusively breast-fed for a minimum of 6 months. These were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. The fathers identified some impacts of breastfeeding on the father–infant relationship. Feeding their infant themselves appeared to be a determining moment in this relationship. These results highlight the relevance of supporting early father–infant bonding in the breastfeeding context.

Protocol for evaluation of the continuum of primary care in the case of a miscarriage in the emergency room: a mixed-method study

BackgroundIn Quebec (Canada), nearly 20,000 pregnancies end in miscarriage, and the majority of the miscarriages are dealt with in an emergency unit. Although there are studies documenting the effects of this type of grief on mental health, men’s experiences are much less discussed than those of women. Similarly, no study has evaluated best practices in terms of service continuity, from emergency care to community resources. The aim of this study is to better understand the relationships that exist between the organization of emergency room and primary care health services for women presenting with miscarriage, on the one hand, and the positions and experiences of women and men within these services, on the other.MethodsThe general objective of this mixed-method study can be broken down into three methodological sections. Focus 1. Institutional discourses and practices. This section is structured as a multiple case study of the mandates of five participant institutions. The study will involve (a) a documentary analysis; (b) a quantitative survey (N: 200) and (c) group interviews (N: 75) with caregivers and emergency unit managers. Focus 2. Women’s and men’s experiences of miscarriages and the institutional response. This section includes (a) a survey (N: 232) and (b) individual interviews (N: 80) designed to identify best practices in emergency involving women and their partners in each area. Focus 3. This section will integrate the information furnished by the first two sections in order to create an ethnographic overview of the situation.DiscussionThis innovative project will provide answers to critical questions on how to improve the effectiveness and quality of interdisciplinary and multisectoral interventions to promote the mental health and psychosocial well-being of couples having experienced a miscarriage. It will have a material effect on the organization of emergency services and of the primary care pathway for women experiencing a miscarriage and for their partners.Trial registrationNot applicable. This study involves a retrospective view of usual health care interventions. This study is not a clinical trial that prospectively assigns human participants or groups of humans to one or more health-related interventions to evaluate the effects on health outcomes.

Pourquoi chercher ailleurs

La plupart des approches therapeutiques tendent a donner une place preponderante aux processus cognitifs et a minimiser le role du corps dans le processus d’acquisition d’un mieux-etre. Depuis quelques annees, des moyens complementaires aux strategies cognitives sont proposes pour soutenir les personnes qui souffrent. Ces techniques, qui favorisent l’etablissement de liens entre le corps et l’esprit, peuvent etre comprises par le biais de la notion plus large du « mindfulness ». Le but de cet article est de decrire le processus de l’attention consciente et de le comparer a des pratiques therapeutiques d’orientation cognitiviste.