Father-to-infant attachment and its associated factors during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.
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| Title: | Father-to-infant attachment and its associated factors during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study. |
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| Authors: | Dikmen-Yildiz, Pelin |
| Source: | Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology. Jan2025, Vol. 43 Issue 1, p151-166. 16p. |
| Subjects: | Cross-sectional method, Wounds & injuries, Health status indicators, Satisfaction, Psychological distress, Father-infant relationship, Hospital care, Premature infants, Parent-infant relationships, Child development, Marital status, Social support, Sleep quality, COVID-19 pandemic, Mental depression, COVID-19 |
| Abstract: | Background: The attachment between father and infant is essential to a child's later development and well-being; yet, hardly any research has examined father-to-infant attachment during the outbreak of COVID-19. This study, therefore, aims to examine psychological, interpersonal, and health-related factors associated with father-to-infant attachment at 3–12 months postpartum during the pandemic. Method: An online cross-sectional study was conducted between June and December 2021. A total of 775 fathers with at least one child aged 3–12 months were recruited. Participants completed measures of depression, COVID-19-related distress, relationship satisfaction, social support and other health-related factors including COVID-19 diagnosis and hospitalisation. Data on psycho-socio-demographic, obstetric, and COVID-19-related characteristics were also collected. Results: Findings demonstrated that paternal depression (β = -.33, p <.001); relationship satisfaction (β =.19, p <.001); COVID-19-related psychological distress (β = -.14, p <.001) and social support (β =.13, p <.001) had a significant effect on father-to-infant attachment. Fathers who were multiparous, had COVID-19 diagnosis, and hospitalised due to COVID-19 were more likely to report poorer father-to-infant attachment. Paternal depression was the most influential factor on father-to-infant attachment, which attenuated the strength of the relationships between marital status, prematurity, history of trauma, sleep quality, and father-to-infant attachment once included into the analyses. No significant associations between educational level, employment, socioeconomic status, delivery mode, and father-to-infant attachment were observed. Conclusion: These findings highlight the critical role of paternal psychological well-being in establishing healthy father-to-infant attachment and the relevance of having satisfied interpersonal relationships in promoting this early relationship particularly during crises such as COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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