Exploring Wellbeing for African Fathers with Refugee Backgrounds Parenting Children from Birth to Two Years of Age in Australia

Abstract

Over seven million people in Australia were born overseas, and many have different cultural approaches to pregnancy and care of young children. Furthermore, people with refugee backgrounds may have additional considerations associated with trauma. However, very little research concerning the perinatal period has considered the needs of refugees in relation to early parenting. This is particularly the case for refugee men; while there has been some research concerning perinatal care for refugee women in Australia, there is a significant gap in literature which concerns the experiences and wellbeing of refugee fathers in this period. This qualitative study focusses on refugee men from the African continent, with interviews with refugee men from African countries, and health providers with experience working with refugee families from the African continent. Thematic analysis identified the following themes: "Trauma just permeates everything really doesn't it?": Refugee status and trauma during early parenting in resettlement countries; Providers and carers: African refugee men's changing roles in relation to fatherhood; Men's engagement is increasing: Broader cultural change, and; Men supporting men: Supporting new fathers in the African refugee communities in Australia. These findings suggest that African refugee men's traditional roles in early parenting often change as a result of the interplay between refugee experiences, pre- existing trauma, and adapting to living in resettlement contexts. This cultural shift in men's engagement in early parenting calls for an increase in providing culturally specific supports for African refugee fathers during this period. Keywords: Refugee, Africa, early parenting, perinatal period, wellbeing, fathers