Changes in identity and paternal–foetal attachment across a first pregnancy

This paper explores change across a first pregnancy in the emergence of the father status and its relationship with paternal foetal attachment. A sample of 78 first‐time Australian fathers completed measures of their identity as fathers and the paternal antenatal attachment scale at the first and third trimester. There was no change in the identity measures. In contrast, paternal foetal attachment significantly increased with the imminent birth. Regression analyses supported the hypothesis that paternal foetal attachment would be predicted by father identity. The results are discussed with reference to limitations of the study and future research directions

The Transition to Fatherhood: Identity and Bonding in Early Pregnancy

Within the framework of identity theory, this paper explores the emergence of the father status and its relationship with paternal fetal bonding in the first trimester of pregnancy. A sample of 115 first-time Australian fathers completed measures of their identity set and prominence of their father status, an exploratory measure of their father status content, and a measure of paternal fetal bonding. Expectant fathers reported their spousal and father status as most central to who they were. Regression analyses lent some support to the hypothesis that fetal bonding would be predicted by father status prominence and content. The results are discussed with reference to limitations and future directions

The Transition to Fatherhood: The Level of First-time Fathers' Involvement and Strength of Bonding with Their Infants

The aim of this study was to describe the level of involvement and psychological bonding of a sample of Australian first-time fathers with their 6-month-old infants. Involvement was defined in terms of fathers’ engagement, accessibility, and responsibility. Sixty-one men completed a time-diary interview protocol, a responsibility scale, and a postnatal bonding scale. Predictably, fathers were more involved on non-workdays, than workdays but the extent of the difference depended on the type of involvement. Father’s share of the responsibility for their infant was a little less than mother’s share. Similar and contrasting findings with recent local and international large-scale studies are discussed. Paternal involvement and bonding were shown to be different dimensions of fathering, adding to the idea of a multidimensional conceptualisation of fathering. Further research avenues are suggested

Prevalence and community variation in harmful levels of family conflict witnessed by children: implications for prevention

 AbstractChildren’s reports of high family conflict consistently predict poor outcomes. The study identified criteria for high family conflict based on prospective prediction of increased risk for childhood depression. These criteria were subsequently used to establish the prevalence of high family conflict in Australian communities and to identify community correlates suitable for targeting prevention programs. Study 1 utilised a longitudinal design. Grade 6 and 8 students completed a family conflict scale (from the widely used Communities That Care survey) in 2003 and depression symptomotology were evaluated at a 1-year follow-up (International Youth Development Study, N = 1,798). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis yielded a cut-off point on a family conflict score with depression symptomatology as a criterion variable. A cut-off score of 2.5 or more (on a scale of 1 to 4) correctly identified 69 % with depression symptomology, with a specificity of 77.2 % and sensitivity at 44.3 %. Study 2 used data from an Australian national survey of Grade 6 and 8 children (Healthy Neighbourhoods Study, N = 8,256). Prevalence estimates were calculated, and multivariate logistic regression with multi-level modelling was used to establish factors associated with community variation in family conflict levels. Thirty-three percent of Australian children in 2006 were exposed to levels of family conflict that are likely to increase their future risk for depression. Significant community correlates for elevated family conflict included Indigenous Australian identification, socioeconomic disadvantage, urban and state location, maternal absence and paternal unemployment. The analysis provides indicators for targeting family-level mental health promotion programs