Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2025

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

431

A Concept Analysis of Paternal Bonding With Prematurely Born Infants

Nisreen Alnuaimi1, Traci Snedden

  • 1School of Nursing, UW-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.

Advances in Neonatal Care : Official Journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses
|March 28, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Paternal bonding with premature infants is defined beyond emotional connection, encompassing cognitive, behavioral, and dynamic aspects. This refined understanding supports clinical practice and future research for fathers and their vulnerable newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Care
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Maternal bonding is well-researched, yet paternal bonding with infants, especially premature ones, receives limited attention.
  • Distinctions between bonding and attachment in paternal relationships remain unclear.
  • Fathers' roles in infant development, particularly in neonatal intensive care settings, require further conceptualization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the concept of paternal bonding specifically for infants born prematurely.
  • To establish a comprehensive definition of paternal bonding in the context of prematurity.
  • To differentiate paternal bonding from attachment in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A concept analysis using Walker and Avant's approach was employed.
  • A systematic literature search identified 28 peer-reviewed English articles published between 2012 and 2022.
  • Data on concept definitions, antecedents, and consequences of paternal bonding with premature infants were extracted and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • A refined conceptual definition of paternal bonding with premature infants was developed, extending beyond emotional connection.
  • The new definition integrates cognitive, behavioral, dynamic, and emotional attributes of paternal bonding.
  • Key antecedents and consequences of paternal bonding in this context were identified and discussed.

Conclusions:

  • A consistent conceptual definition of paternal bonding with premature infants was established.
  • This definition provides a foundation for future clinical guidelines and research protocols.
  • Findings empower nurses to better understand and promote paternal bonding, aiding researchers in further exploration.
Abstract

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