A/Prof Jacqui Macdonald

#Fatherhood researchers, services and practitioners, SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT to present at the Australian Fatherhood Research Symposium 2026!
www.ausfatherhoodresearch.org/afrs-2026

Join us in Melbourne or online for an amazing symposium on 7 & 8 May 2026 #AFRS2026

SAVE THE DATE 
Australian Fatherhood Research Symposium
Thursday 7 & Friday 8 May, 2026
Melbourne & online

An inclusive multi-disciplinary event open to all researchers, practitioners, organisations and policy makers with an interest in advancing the science of fatherhood.

New research from the MAPP Study shows that men who had poor relationships with their parents were more likely to experience shame as adults doi.org/10.1007/s442... 🧵1/4

Separated men are nearly 5 times more likely to take their lives than married men Some men struggle to cope with the stress of a relationship breakdown.

Some men struggle to cope with the stress of a relationship breakdown.

theconversation.com/separated-me...

@zacseidler.bsky.social
@jacmac.bsky.social
@deakinuniversity.bsky.social
@orygen.org.au

When new dads struggle, their kids’ health can suffer. Tackling mental distress early can help

Around one in ten men experience mental health issues after having a baby. But many don’t seek help.

Today is International Fathers' Mental Health Day #IFMHD. The AFRC is delighted to partner with Mark Williams BCAh FRSA and Gidget Foundation Australia to promote awareness that fathers need support & access to healthcare, for the sake of their own mental health, as well as their families'.

The AFRC was honoured to have Professor Craig Garfield share his knowledge and insights with us during his visit to Australia as Deakin University's Thinker In Residence.

You can read about Craig's thoughts on his trip Down Under:

www.luriechildrens.org/en/family-ch...

‘Men are not expected to be interested in babies’: how society lets new fathers – and their families – down Around one in 10 fathers experience serious mental health issues in the period before and after their child is born. What can be done?

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Father Trait Anger and Exposure to Infant Cry: Effects on Emotion, Appraisals of Infants, and Cognitive Performance Objective Trait anger can impact emotional states, appraisals of others, and cognition. The study aim was to assess in fathers whether these associations are exacerbated by infant crying. Method T...

📢 Just published: New research investigating how dads respond when a baby cries. Open access 🔗: doi.org/10.1111/jopy... Key findings and implications in the below🧵 1/6

...aaand thats a wrap! thankyou for everyone who attended and shared their amazing research on fatherhood throughout the symposium 😀👏 @minderoo.bsky.social

An amazing presentation on the history of fatherhood research by Professor Brenda Volling from the university of Michigan, followed by valuable insights into the predictors of paternal mental health by Associate Professor Jacqui Macdonald from Deakin University. @minderoo.bsky.social

The other side of postnatal depression: what about Dads? Demetra Christodoulou appraises a recent Pakistani trial on a group parenting intervention for male postpartum depression.

The other side of postnatal depression: what about Dads? buff.ly/fbc9hS7

Demetra Christodoulou reviews a new RCT from Pakistan testing “Learning Through Play Plus Dads”: a group parenting programme designed to support #Fathers with #PostnatalDepression.

🧵 THREAD

Only 9 days until the 2025 Australian Fatherhood Research Symposium!
View the program to see the fantastic lineup of speakers, presentations and discussions: mappresearch.org/australian-f...
Registrations close on Friday (25 April).

Thank you @profatarrant.bsky.social

The Australian Fatherhood Research Symposium 2025 is honoured to have Professor Brenda Volling as our Keynote Speaker on Thursday 1 May to share her research and insights on the importance of fathers.

Register now so you don't miss out: mappresearch.org/australian-f...

Baby loss: A father’s perspective | BPS Adam Ottley-Porter, a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) and University Lecturer, opens up about the loss of his son Joshua, explores fostering open discussions about baby loss, and shares how...

Baby loss: A father’s perspective.

Adam Ottley-Porter, a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) and University Lecturer, opens up about the loss of his son Joshua, and how this profound experience has shaped both his personal and professional journey.

www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...

Blaming absent dads for the crisis of masculinity is too simplistic – many men want to be more involved The issues boys and men navigate are diverse and messy, linked to socioeconomic inequalities, geography and social history.

The issues boys and men navigate are diverse and messy, linked to socioeconomic inequalities, geography and social history.

Join us to celebrate the 10th year of the Australian Fatherhood Research Symposium on 1 & 2 May, 2025. Keynote and invited speakers, research findings, discussion & networking with fatherhood researchers, practitioners and advocates.

Make sure to register to attend: mappresearch.org/australian-f...

Upcoming ARACY webinar - Shaping Fatherhood’s Role in Child and Family Health 
Wednesday, 26th March | 12:00 - 1:00pm AEDT | Online

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the future of fatherhood in health policy. Register now:

events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2e6645...

Predicting Timing of Parenthood We aimed to predict if and when young adults would become parents. Using data from a multi-decade, longitudinal study, we measured 19 factors related to their interpersonal connections and characteris...

www.growkudos.com/publications...

Flyer for the Call for abstracts, to be submitted to the 2025 Australian Fatherhood Research Consortium in Melbourne, Australia. Image depicts laughing presenters and participants at the 2024 event.

#Fatherhood researchers, services and practitioners, SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT to present at the Australian Fatherhood Research Symposium 2025! Submissions close 16 Dec.
mappresearch.org/afrs-2025-ab... Join us in Melbourne or online on the 1st & 2nd of May 2024 #AFRS2025

Hi, can you please add me and @ausfatherhood.bsky.social , thanks!

Hi Jeff, can you please add me and @ausfatherhood.bsky.social , thanks!