Factors influencing paternal involvement during infancy: A prospective longitudinal study. (11th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shorey, Shefaly; Ang, Lina; Goh, Esther C.L.; Gandhi, Mihir
• Is Part Of: Journal of advanced nursing. Volume 75:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 357
• Page End: 367
• Publication Date: 2018-10-11
• Subjects: 6 months postpartum -- fathers -- infant care -- infants -- parenting self‐efficacy -- paternal involvement; Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.7305
• DOI: 10.1111/jan.13848
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-2402

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: To explore factors influencing paternal involvement at 6 months postpartum and to detail the trend of these factors over a period of 6 months. Background: There is a dearth of studies on paternal involvement during infancy in the unique Asian context. Design: A prospective four‐time point longitudinal design was adopted. Methods: A total of 201 participants were recruited from a local hospital from May 2016 ‐ December 2017 using convenience sampling. Self‐administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Data were statistically analysed. Results: Parenting self‐efficacy at 6‐month postpartum, paternal involvement, and paternal postnatal depression on the day of wife's hospital discharge, wife in paid work and wife's antenatal class attendance significantly influenced paternal involvement at 6 months postpartum. A sub‐analysis of first‐time and experienced fathers revealed that parenting self‐efficacy at 6‐month postpartum, paternal involvement on the day of wife's hospital discharge and wife in paid work were significant factors influencing paternal involvement for first‐time fathers. Significant factors influencing paternal involvement for experienced fathers were paternal involvement on the day of wife's hospital discharge and wife's antenatal class attendance. Conclusion: Fathers (first‐time and experienced) who were involved during their infant's birth were also involved at 6‐month postpartum. Healthcare professionals may encourage paternal involvement through teaching fathers infant care skills during the antenatal period, especially first‐time fathers as they may be lacking in such skills, which may hinder their parenting satisfaction. Paternal involvement throughout the perinatal period can be enforced by healthcare professionals to promote paternal involvement. Abstract : 目的: 目的在于探讨影响产后6个月父亲参与的因素, 并详细说明这些因素在6个月内的趋势。 背景: 在独特的亚洲背景下, 关于婴儿时期父亲参与的研究很少。 设计: 采用了前瞻性四个时间点纵向设计。 方法: 从2016年5月至2017年12月, 从当地医院招募了201名受试者来进行便利抽样。采用了自填问卷法来收集数据。对数据进行统计分析。 结果: 产后6个月的父母教养效能感、父亲参与、和妻子出院当天的父亲产后抑郁症、从事有偿工作的妻子和妻子的产前课堂出勤率都显著影响着产后6个月的父亲参与。对刚做父亲的人和已做父亲的人所进行的子分析表明, 产后6个月的父母教养效能感、妻子出院当天的父亲参与以及从事有偿工作的妻子都是重要因素, 影响着刚做父亲的人的父亲参与。对已做父亲的人来说, 影响父亲参与的重要因素是, 妻子出院当天的父亲参与和妻子的产前课堂出勤率。 结论: 婴儿出生时的父亲(初为人父和已为人父)在产后6个月都有参与。医疗保健专业人员可以通过在产前期间教授父亲的婴儿护理技能来鼓励父亲的参与, 尤其是对于第一次当父亲的, 因为他们可能缺乏这种技能, 这可能会阻碍他们的父母教养满意度。医疗保健专业人员可以在围产期加强父亲的参与, 以促进父亲的参与。