- Title
- Online mental health screening for rural fathers over the perinatal period
- Creator
- Fletcher, Richard; Regan, Casey; Leigh, Lucy; Dizon, Jason; Deering, April
- Relation
- Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 31, Issue 5, p. 796-804
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12997
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2023
- Description
- Objective: To determine the feasibility of identifying distressed fathers in rural areas of NSW via a ‘light touch’ support program (SMS4dads). Design: A retrospective observational study using self-reported distress and routinely captured help-seeking behaviour over a 14-month period (September 2020–December 2021) comparing rural and urban fathers. Setting: Rural and urban Local Health Districts in NSW. Participants: A total of 3261 expectant and new fathers enrolled in a text-based information and support service (SMS4dads). Main Outcome Measures: Registrations, K10 score, program engagement, attrition, escalation and referral to online mental health services. Results: Rural (13.3%) and urban (13.2%) enrolments were equivalent. Rural fathers had higher rates of distress than urban fathers (rural 19%; urban 16%) and were more likely to be smokers, consume alcohol at risky levels and report lower education levels. Rural fathers were more likely to exit the program early (HR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.08–1.62; p = 0.008); however, once adjusted for demographic factors aside from rurality, this increased likelihood was nonsignificant (HR = 1.10; 95% CI 0.88–1.38; p = 0.401). Although engagement with psychological support during the program was equivalent, a greater proportion of rural participants were escalated to online mental health support (7.7%) than urban participants (6.1%); however, this was nonsignificant (p = 0.222). Conclusion: Digital platforms offering text-based parenting information in a ‘light touch’ format may be an effective way to screen rural fathers for mental distress and connect them to online support.
- Subject
- digital; fathers; mental health; perinatal; rural/urban
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1494443
- Identifier
- uon:53802
- Identifier
- ISSN:1038-5282
- Rights
- X
- Language
- eng
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