The relationship of vaginal and cesarean births to father-infant attachment.
A descriptive, correlational study was undertaken to determine the relationship between type of birth, vaginal or cesarean, and father-infant attachment. Attachment behaviors were measured in the home one month after birth for 60 father-infant pairs (30 vaginal and 30 cesarean). Results from the father-infant observation tool and the paternal caretaking activities questionnaire indicated no significant difference between the groups. However, the following variables did predict reported caretaking activities: infant gender, previous children, father's presence at the delivery, and early contact.
Fortier
J C
JC
University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore County Campus, MD 21228.
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000523:psychology*; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000523:psychology*; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D011247:Pregnancy; D011581:Psychological Tests