Father's attachment behavior as related to preparenthood classes, presence at delivery and infant state

The phenomenon of attachment in regard to fathers and newborns has been a neglected area of study. This study explored father-infant attachment and how it was related to preparenthood classes, presence at delivery and infant state. The study sample consisted of 48 fathers and their infants who were observed in the mother's hospital room between twelve and seventy-two hours after delivery. The fathers were divided into three groups: 1. t those who took classes and were present at delivery, 2. those who were present at delivery but did not take classes, and 3. those who neither took classes nor were present at delivery. Fathers who were present at delivery demonstrated more social attachment behavior than fathers who were not present. Presence at delivery was also significant in regard to total attachment scores. Sleeping infants elicited significantly less attachment behavior from fathers. Preparenthood classes were not related to fathers' attachment behavior. This study supports the theory of a sensitive period shortly after birth for the development of the parental-infant bond. It also demonstrates, indirectly, that alert, awake infants do elicit certain attachment behaviors from fathers.