The effect of father-infant bonding on fathers’ attitudes toward participating in childbirth and fear of childbirth

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to examine the relationship between father-infant bonding and expectant fathers’ attitudes toward birth participation as well as their birth-related fear levels. Material and Method This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2023 and July 2024 at the obstetrics outpatient clinics, maternity ward, and delivery rooms of Balıkesir University Health Practice and Research Hospital. The sample consisted of 257 expectant fathers who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, Paternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (PAAS), Attitude Scale Towards Participation in Birth for Father Candidates (ASPBFC), and Fathers’ Fear of Childbirth Scale (FFCS). Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, univariate analyses, and linear regression were performed for statistical evaluation. Results The mean scores of participants were 65.15 ± 6.70 for the PAAS, 60.03 ± 17.47 for the ASPBFC, and 59.85 ± 11.51 for the FFCS. Multiple linear regression analyses identified several significant predictors of ASPBFC and FFCS scores. Lower ASPBFC scores were observed among unemployed participants, those who did not feel ready for fatherhood, and those who had not attended birth-related education, while the spouse’s age was positively associated with ASPBFC. Higher PAAS and FFCS scores were associated with lower ASPBFC. For FFCS, higher scores were found among participants with higher income, those expecting a female fetus, and those who had not attended birth-related education, and FFCS increased with longer marriage duration. In contrast, higher PAAS and ASPBFC scores were associated with lower FFCS. Conclusion Expectant fathers in this study demonstrated low attitudes toward birth participation, moderate fatherinfant bonding, and high birth-related fear levels. Father-infant bonding emerged as a significant predictor for both ASPBFC and FFCS scores.