Parental sensitivity to infant cues: similarities and differences between mothers and fathers

This study investigated the relationship of parent and infant characteristics to parental sensitivity to infant cues. Thirty-two families with firstborn infants were observed in a play situation. Capacity for empathy was the best predictor of sensitivity to infant cues for both mothers and fathers. Attitudes toward infant care also predicted sensitivity in mothers but not fathers, whereas nonverbal decoding ability, marital adjustment, baby temperament, and gender were unrelated to sensitivity to cues. Significant differences were found between parents in terms of their capacity for empathy and attitudes toward infants. Compared with fathers, mothers were both more empathic and had more positive attitudes than fathers.