Differential effect of ill-being and chronic stress on cradling behavior of first and multi-time parents.
A preference for cradling infants on the left side has been demonstrated in women, as has a relation of reduced left-cradling and stress/negative affect. This relation has not yet been investigated in male participants. Due to less left-cradling in non-fathers compared to fathers it was suggested that fatherhood might have an influence on cradling behavior. The present study investigated the cradling preference of first- and multi-time parents before and after birth, and its relation to ill-being and stress. Results revealed that cradling behavior of first-time fathers was not different before and after the birth of the infant. Thus, fatherhood does not seem to have an acute influence on cradling behavior. Furthermore, cradling behavior of first- and multi-time parents was differentially influenced by ill-being and stress. These results present new information about the course of cradling preference from pregnancy to postpartum and indicate that the relation of cradling and ill-being/stress is more complex for parents than for non-parents.
University of Basel, Department of Psychology, NCCR Sesam, Postfach, Basel, Switzerland. susanne.suter@unibas.ch
Susanne E
SE
Suter
Harriet J
HJ
Huggenberger
Terry D
TD
Blumenthal
Hartmut
H
Schachinger
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010332:Paternal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament / Q000502:physiology*