Understanding and supporting the information needs of young fathers: action planning

Abstract

First paragraph: Why focus attention on the information needs of young parents? • The transition to parenthood is a period of profound change and psychosocial adjustment (Kamali et al., 2018; Levin-Keini & Shlomo, 2019). It can transform how a person thinks of themself and the world around them and generates new and wide-ranging needs for knowledge and understanding. • Many new parents feel ill-prepared and ill-equipped for their new roles (e.g. Carolan, 2007; Jones et al, 2019). Information helps preparedness but unmet needs are reported, and correlated with negative health outcomes (e.g. Boyce et al., 2007; Gazmararian et al., 2014; Rotich and Wolvaardt, 2017). • Young parents are widely reported to be at increased risk of negative health outcomes, but their information needs are understudied.