Factors influencing paternal involvement during infancy: A prospective longitudinal study
Shefaly Shorey1, Lina Ang1, Esther C L Goh2
1Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|September 14, 2018
Summary
Paternal involvement at six months postpartum is influenced by factors like parenting self-efficacy and postnatal depression. Early paternal engagement during birth predicts continued involvement, highlighting the role of healthcare professionals in promoting fatherhood.
Area of Science:
- Maternal and Child Health
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Limited research exists on paternal involvement in infancy within the Asian context.
- Understanding factors influencing paternal engagement is crucial for infant development and family well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors affecting paternal involvement at six months postpartum.
- To examine the longitudinal trends of these influencing factors over a six-month period.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study design with four data collection points.
- 201 fathers recruited via convenience sampling from a local hospital (May 2016 - December 2017).
- Data collected through self-administered questionnaires and statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Parenting self-efficacy, paternal involvement at discharge, postnatal depression, wife's employment, and antenatal class attendance significantly predicted paternal involvement at six months.
- For first-time fathers, parenting self-efficacy, initial paternal involvement, and wife's employment were key.
- For experienced fathers, initial paternal involvement and wife's antenatal class attendance were significant.
Conclusions:
- Paternal involvement during birth is a strong predictor of involvement at six months postpartum for both first-time and experienced fathers.
- Healthcare professionals can enhance paternal involvement by teaching infant care skills antenatally, particularly to first-time fathers.
- Promoting continuous paternal engagement throughout the perinatal period is recommended for improved fatherhood outcomes.
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