BACKGROUND There is growing evidence for the value of technology-based programs to support fathers to make positive transitions across the perinatal period. However, past research has focused on program outcomes with little attention to the mechanisms of impact. Knowledge of why a program works increases potential for replication across contexts. METHODS Participants were 40 Australian fathers enrolled in the SMS4dads text-based perinatal support program (Mean age 35.11 (5.87). From a starting point between 16 weeks gestation and 12 weeks postpartum, they were sent a maximum of 184 text messages. An inductive approach was used to analyse post-program semi-structured interviews. The aim was to identify mechanisms of impact aligned to previously identified program outcomes, which were that SMS4dads: 1) is helpful/useful; 2) lessens a sense of isolation; 3) promotes the father-infant relationship; and 4) supports the father-partner relationship. RESULTS We identified two types of mechanisms: four were structural within the program messages and five were psychological within the participant. The structural mechanisms included: syncing information to needs; normalisation; prompts to interact; and, the provision of a safety net. The psychological mechanisms were: increase in knowledge; feelings of confidence; ability to cope; role orientation; and, the feeling of being connected. These mechanisms interacted with each other to produce the pre-identified program outcomes. CONCLUSIONS If the current findings are generalisable then, future mobile health program design and evaluation would benefit from explicit consideration to how both program components and individual cognitive and behavioural processes combine to elicit targeted outcomes.

中文翻译：

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父亲身份过渡期间对父亲的基于文本的支持的过程评估（SMS4dads）：影响机制。

背景技术越来越多的证据表明，基于技术的计划在支持父亲在围产期实现积极过渡方面的价值。但是，过去的研究集中在计划结果上，很少关注影响机制。对程序为何有效的了解增加了跨上下文复制的可能性。方法参加者为40名澳大利亚父亲，他们参加了基于SMS4dads文本的围产期支持计划（平均年龄35.11（5.87）。从妊娠16周到产后12周开始，他们最多收到184条文本消息。用来分析程序后的半结构化访谈，目的是确定与先前确定的程序结果一致的影响机制，即SMS4dads：1）有帮助/有用；2）减轻孤立感；3）促进父母关系；和4）支持父亲与伴侣的关系。结果我们确定了两种类型的机制：四种是程序消息中的结构性机制，另外五种是参与者内部的心理性机制。结构机制包括：将信息同步到需求；正常化; 提示互动；并提供安全网。心理机制是：知识增加；自信的感觉；应付能力；角色定位；并且，被连接的感觉。这些机制相互影响，以产生预先确定的计划结果。结论如果当前的发现是可概括的，那么，