Project Summary
PARENTS BOX is a project addressing postpartum depression in both mothers and fathers, with a focus on supporting fathers who are often overlooked in this context. The design principles in this project include removing barriers to fathers' participation, building confidence through parental experiences, promoting expanded social networks, and encouraging male involvement in parenting.
Background Introduction
Postpartum depression (PPD) is an unavoidable topic for women during pregnancy, and
most current data, research, and counselling institutions are targeting mothers.
Besides, according to research, fathers are also faced with such a crisis with a high
probability, and assistance from fathers can also help mothers effectively reduce the risk
of postpartum depression. However, compared with a large number of research materials
and auxiliary institutions about mothers, the assistance of fathers is uncommon.
Research shows that 10% of new dads experience postpartum depression, which is only
4% less likely than women. The core reasons include paternity, financial stress, marital
relationships and reduced social leisure activities and so on.Yet few of our psychologists
offer intensive training on these types of issues for dads from conception to a year or so
postpartum. In addition, research shows that pregnant mothers need the support of their
fathers, both mentally and physically.
Field Research Interview1
We refer to the stages of pregnancy of previous mothers, and we also divide the whole process into three stages: before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after pregnancy. We design engagement tool to understand dad's feelings, experiences and thoughts during the process.
· Insight1：Father's mood fluctuates during long-term waiting.
Observation in hospital
· Insight2: Due to the limitations of NHS system, the fathers are unable to accompany their wife during the delivery. Therefore, they will be very anxious during the waiting process.
Field Research Interview2
During the workshop, we found that the dads at the scene did not take notes during the course. And, after summing up, the content of these courses is more like succinctly relaying the knowledge about postpartum childcare to mothers to fathers.
We found that they would do as much housework as possible for their wives after returning home from work, which will make them feel extra tired.
· Insight3: Not all fathers are willing to learn about parenting in advance.
Output
Principle( We summarised the design principle according to our previous research insights)
1.Remove barriers to fathers' participation in the family
2. Encourage fathers to build confidence through their parents' experiences
3.Promote expanded networks of friends and family
4.Encourage boys, adult men to participate in parenting
Box
Scotland offers baby boxes for newborn babies as a reminder that we can also provide boxes for parents. Tell them what to do and provide them with information directly through this box. Therefore, we decided to create a parents box, which can tell parents what to do and support them discuss about their baby and further self character.
System
We divide the service system into online and offline forms. Around these two forms, we designed a set of closed-loop services, which completely covered the whole process from the early stage of pregnancy to the birth of the baby.
Design Target
We set three stages target. PARENTS BOX is a visible touchpoint of a short-term goal. The invisible system is to achieve our long-term goal.