The contribution of personal resources, stress, and parental involvement to personal growth of new fathers - A comparison between fathers of twins and fathers of singletons

The transition to parenthood is a joyful occasion, but can also be accompanied by considerable stress and anxiety. Coping with these feelings holds the potential for personal growth. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have examined personal growth following the transition to parenthood. However, only a minority have focused on fathers, despite the shift in the last few decades regarding paternal involvement in child-rearing. This study examined personal growth in the early transition period to fatherhood, comparing two groups – fathers of twins and fathers of a single child. Based on Schaefer and Moss’ growth model (Schaefer & Moos, 1992), we examined the contribution of variables from three categories to personal growth: Event characteristics (perceived levels of stress experienced by fathers and the level of paternal involvement); Personal internal resources (coping flexibility and religious faith); and personal external resources (spousal support). In addition, this is the first study to explore whether there is a curvilinear association among fathers between the level of perceived stress and personal growth.

The sample was comprised of 158 men, 76 fathers of firstborn twins, ranging in age range from 1-24 months, and 82 fathers of a single child in the same age range. The data was collected through online questionnaires, by a convenience sample method.

The findings indicate that fathers of twins report a higher level of coping flexibility than fathers of singletons; there is a positive correlation between all the study variables and various dimensions of personal growth. Specifically, a positive correlation was found between coping flexibility and the five dimensions of personal growth. This correlation was found to be mediated by stress, in regard to the growth dimensions of relating to others and appreciation of life: the lower the coping flexibility, the more stressed the fathers were, which in turn was correlated with a higher level of personal growth. Religious faith  was positively associated with personal growth but only in the personal growth dimension of spiritual change, among participants who defined themselves as either orthodox, religious, or traditional; Positive correlations were found between spousal support and personal growth in all dimensions, except for personal strength, and a positive association was found between paternal involvement and personal growth in all dimensions, except for new possibilities; Finally, there was a positive correlation between stress and personal growth in relation to appreciation of life dimension, and a curvilinear relationship for the dimensions of relating to others and personal strength. Thus, at an average stress level, fathers reported the highest level of growth, and as the level of stress was higher or lower than average, the fathers reported decreased levels of growth.

This study is the first to examine personal growth among fathers of twins, and the first to examine curvilinear relationships between stress levels and personal growth among fathers. On a practical level, the study can help target interventions aimed at training fathers before their transition to parenthood and empowering their personal growth during the first parenting period.