Effects of Presence at Delivery upon Paternal-Infant Bonding
Abstract
Fifteen first-time fathers who observed as their wives vaginally delivered stable infants (Apgars 8 or above at 5 minutes) in a metropolitan hospital in the Southeastern United States consented to participate in a descriptive-comparative study. Fathers holding their infants were observed by the researcher for a 30 minute uninterrupted period on the infants' second day of life. Bonding behaviors and Infant State were recorded on a Bonding Observation Instrument. Total scores were tabulated and predominant infant state assigned. After the observation period all fathers completed a Demographic Data Questionnaire. Multiple Regression analysis was used to compare bonding scores with the following independent variables: infant state, father's description of birth experience, age, education, income and occupation of fathers, sex of infant, previous experience caring for infant, comfort caring for own infant, prenatal classes, and length and strength of marriage. While none of the individual independent variables were found statistically significant (R Squared over .5), all the independent variables compared together with the bonding scores accounted for over 97% of the variance of this sample.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA196693
Entities
People
- Sandra D. Wiggin
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology