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Paternal stimulation and father-infant attachment

Anna L Olsavsky1, Miranda N Berrigan1, Sarah J Schoppe-Sullivan2

  • 1Department of Human Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Attachment & Human Development
|March 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Fathers who provided more stimulation to their infants at 9 months postpartum had higher odds of secure father-infant attachment. Paternal intrusiveness influenced this association, with stimulation being most beneficial when intrusiveness was low to average.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Attachment Theory
  • Early Childhood Studies

Background:

  • Secure father-infant attachment is crucial for child development.
  • Understanding paternal behaviors that promote secure attachment is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal relationship between fathers' observed parenting behaviors and father-infant attachment security.
  • To explore the roles of paternal stimulation, sensitivity, and intrusiveness in fostering secure attachment.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 58 father-infant dyads.
  • Fathers observed engaging in play with infants at 9 months postpartum.
  • Father-infant attachment security assessed using the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) at 12-18 months.

Main Results:

  • Higher paternal stimulation at 9 months postpartum was significantly associated with increased odds of secure father-infant attachment.
  • Paternal intrusiveness moderated the association between stimulation and attachment security.
  • The positive effect of paternal stimulation on attachment security was evident at low and average levels of intrusiveness, but not at high levels.

Conclusions:

  • Paternal stimulation is a key behavior in promoting secure father-infant attachment.
  • Paternal intrusiveness can impede the positive effects of stimulation on attachment.
  • Interventions aimed at enhancing father-infant attachment should consider both stimulation and appropriate levels of intrusiveness.

Keywords:
Father-infant attachmentfather-child playintrusivenesssensitivitystimulation

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