First-time fathers' coping strategies at elective cesarean delivery: A quantitative study

Background: Considerable studies have been undertaken to assess fathers' feelings and experiences during labor and delivery of their partner, however, investigation describing first-time fathers' coping strategies at elective cesarean delivery remains under explored. Aim: To assess and determine the Coping Strategies of first-time fathers at elective cesarean delivery, by looking at both first-time and second time fathers, separately. Study design: A quantitative design was utilized in this investigation. Subjects: A total of 52 fathers, of whom 28 first-time fathers, whose partner had planned elective cesarean section, and 54 fathers, of whom 25 first-time fathers, whose partner had scheduled induction of labor at term. Outcome measures: The Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS; Endler & Parker, 1990) was the main tool used to explore by Task-, Emotion- and Avoidance-oriented coping subscales, the feelings and experiences of the expectant fathers relative to the labor and delivery of their partners. Results: Findings indicated that Avoidance-oriented coping values were significantly higher in first-time fathers at elective cesarean section compared to those at in first-time fathers at scheduled induced vaginal delivery (50.93 +/- 12.80 vs 40.71 +/- 9.38, p < 0.001), presenting with the highest percentile (82 degrees centile). In addition, the Avoidance-oriented coping subscale significantly correlated with the subscales assessing Avoidance through Social interaction (rho = 0.90, p < 0.001) and Avoidance based on distraction (rho = 0.63, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Findings revealed that first-time fathers at elective cesarean section presented significantly higher Avoidance-oriented coping strategies, through Social interaction and based on distraction, in comparison to first-time fathers whose partner had scheduled induction of labor at term.