Father-newborn interaction: effects of social competence and infant state.
Indicators of both father and infant social competence were explored as predictors of four types of paternal interaction behavior: touch-affection/comfort, talk-affection/comfort, touch-stimulate, and talk-stimulate. Data collected from 114 father-newborn pairs 2 to 4 days after birth included perceived competence as a father, the infant's orientation and range of state scores on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, and the infant's behavioral state during a structured paternal-infant interaction. Infant state at the time of interaction was the best predictor, particularly of affection/comforting behavior. Infant orientation scores helped predict touch-stimulating behavior and range of state scores helped predict touch-affectional behavior. Paternal competence was a predictor of stimulating behavior. Results emphasized the importance of considering state behavior when observing fathers interacting with their newborns.
D000328:Adult; D002652:Child Behavior; D003448:Crying; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010332:Paternal Behavior; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012737:Sex Factors; D012932:Social Facilitation; D013060:Speech; D014110:Touch