Through the Smoke: A Voice-Centred Exploration of Self-Compassion in New Fatherhood

Although the first year postpartum is recognized as a period of vulnerability for fathers, limited research has explored how they effectively cope during this transition. This study addresses this gap by centering the voices of new fathers who have coped well and have grown in self-compassion. Self-compassion, an internal coping strategy, has been shown to enhance psychological well-being and relationship satisfaction while mitigating postpartum mental health challenges. Eight fathers participated in narrative, semi-structured interviews about their experiences of becoming a parent. Transcripts were analyzed using the Listening Guide method. Four distinct yet interconnected groups of voices emerged from the analysis: (a) voices of vulnerability, (b) voices of protection, (c) voices of self-compassion, and (d) voices of fathering. The relationships among these voices are discussed in relation to meaning-focused coping, hybrid masculinity, and the developmental process of self-compassion over time.