Strategy to enhance the father-infant relationship

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of a paternal orientation to newborn care and newborn behaviors on subsequent paternal attachment and caretaking behaviors. Sixty-five subjects were randomly assigned to a treatment of a control group. Fathers in the treatment group were shown a film about father-newborn interaction, given a demonstration about infant caregiving tasks and the opportunity to practice these tasks, and shown the infants; ability to see, hear and track an object. Results of the study indicated that the intervention was effective in producing significantly more positive attachment behaviors in experimental group fathers. No significant differences were found with regard to participation in infant caretaking, play, and sex-role attitudes.