Does Antenatal Education Affect Level Of Empathy And Attachment Of Fathers?
Çiğdem Gün Kakaşçı1, Dilek Coşkuner Potur2, Özlem Karabulut3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Division of Nursing, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey.
Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
|September 24, 2021
Summary
Antenatal education significantly boosts empathic tendency and paternal bonding in expectant fathers. These positive effects of fatherhood education extend into the postpartum period, enhancing early parent-infant connection.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal mental health
- Parental psychology
- Maternal and child health
Background:
- Limited research exists on antenatal education's impact on fathers.
- Understanding paternal roles in early child development is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of antenatal education on first-time fathers' empathic tendencies.
- To evaluate the influence of antenatal education on paternal bonding.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, controlled quasi-experimental design.
- Involved an education group (EG) and a control group (CG).
- Utilized Empathic Tendency and Paternal Postnatal Attachment Scales.
Main Results:
- The education group showed significantly higher empathic tendency scores post-education and at 6 weeks postpartum.
- The education group also demonstrated significantly higher paternal bonding scores at 6 months postpartum.
- Results indicate a positive correlation between antenatal education and enhanced paternal engagement.
Conclusions:
- Antenatal education positively impacts fathers' empathic tendencies.
- The benefits of antenatal education for fathers are sustained into the postpartum period.
- Antenatal education is an effective intervention for improving paternal bonding and early father-infant relationships.
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