Preparation for parenthood: a concept analysis

Objective: This article reviewed the literature and critically analysed\nthe concept of preparation for parenthood. The analysis is mainly of a\ndiscursive nature with some theoretical underpinnings. Background:\nPreparation for parenthood is a concept that is generally used within\npsychology, sociology and health professional practice especially\nmidwifery, in terms of preparation for birth and parenthood sessions.\nHowever, parents often report feeling unprepared during this period. In\norder to ensure appropriate delivery of support and education during\nthis time it is important to fully understand what preparation for\nparenthood really means by unravelling its component elements and\nunderstanding its contemporary relevance. Methods: A number of sources\nwere searched using the keywords `preparation' and `parenthood'. The\nconcept analysis framework put forward by Walker and Avant was used to\ndevelop appropriate cases to further illustrate and explore meaning.\nResults: The literature search confirmed limited evidence with regards\nto an in-depth exploration of the concept and the separate elements that\nare related to each other. This investigation is the first of its kind\nconsidering the full range of meanings with regards to the concept and\nthe contemporary evidence available. Law, gender, culture and\nspirituality all influence the concept and thus antecedents and\nconsequences cannot always be applied to contexts which are\nfundamentally different. Conclusion: Preparation for parenthood is\nmulti-faceted and changing, thus further research with regards to this\nconcept is warranted. This analysis provides the groundwork for the\ndevelopment of measures that may be used within clinical practice.