Development of father-infant attachment in fathers of preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the development of feelings of attachment between fathers and their preterm infants and to identify factors that help or hinder this process.


METHODS
A longitudinal descriptive design was used to obtain fathers' perceptions of their infants, feelings for their infants, and other related factors.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 27 fathers of preterm infants was recruited.


METHODS
The main outcome variable was the time at which fathers first held their infants.


RESULTS
The earlier fathers held their babies, the sooner they reported feelings of warmth and love for them.
Sullivan
J R
JR
Faculty of Health, Division of Nursing, University of Western Sydney Macarthur, NSW, Australia.
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D009769:Object Attachment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014110:Touch