This study is part of the research project New Families, which is a collaborative project between the Oslo municipality, VID, the University of Oslo and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

New families is an early intervention program based on home visits by public health nurses, during the pregnancy and in the first two years after birth. The program comes in addition to the traditional Child Health Services (CHS). The goal is to strengthen the parent's coping ability and confidence in parenting, through early efforts. New families are based on a salutogenetic perspective, with a focus on resource mobilization and parental support work. By the end of 2019, new Families will be implemented in all of Oslo's 15 districts, as part of the CHS.

Becoming a parent involves a major life change. It brings joy, expectations and challenges for both parents. How they master this transition in life could have consequences for the connection to the child and is of great importance for the child's upbringing and family development.

The perspective of maternity and maternity care in Norway has changed from a mother-child perspective to a family-focus. The role of the fathers has changed and their involvement in childcare is increasing. However, research shows that fathers experience a varying degree of inclusion from det CHS program, and on men as independent caregivers.

This study will explore whether the New Families intervention program provides a better approach for first-time fathers compared to the regular CHS program.

Does New Families have an impact on first time fathers mental health and parental stress in the child's first year of life?

The study will have a mixed method approach using questionnaires and in-depth interviews.