The Effect of Kangaroo Care on Paternal Attachment: A Randomized Controlled Study

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care and developmental psychology.
• Paternal-infant bonding and attachment.
• Evidence-based parenting interventions.

Background:

• Father-infant skin-to-skin contact is crucial for early interaction.
• Limited research exists on the impact of kangaroo care (KC) on paternal attachment.
• Understanding paternal roles in infant development is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of kangaroo care (KC) on paternal attachment.
• To provide empirical evidence for KC as a tool to strengthen father-infant bonds.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 90 fathers of healthy newborns.
• Intervention group received KC; control group did not.
• Father-Infant Attachment Scale (FIAS) administered at 3 months; statistical analyses included T test, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Main Results:

• Fathers in the KC group showed significantly higher overall FIAS scores (80.57 ± 13.70) compared to the control group (56.76 ± 13.23).
• KC intervention led to higher scores in subdimensions: patience and tolerance (13.70 ± 1.18 vs. 11.57 ± 2.30), pleasure in interaction (29.50 ± 2.86 vs. 17.13 ± 5.93), and love and pride (37.37 ± 2.85 vs. 28.06 ± 5.82).
• All differences between groups were statistically significant (P < .05).

Conclusions:

• Kangaroo care (KC) is an effective intervention for increasing paternal attachment.
• Healthcare providers should educate fathers on KC during discharge to promote father-infant bonding.
• Further research with larger, diverse samples is needed to explore factors influencing paternal attachment and refine evidence-based practices.