Witte Annemieke M, de Moor Marleen H M, Verhees Martine W F T, Lotz Anna M, van IJzendoorn Marinus H, Bakermans-Kranenburg Marian J
Parent Sci Pract. 2024 Jul 1;24(2-3):106-117. doi: 10.1080/15295192.2024.2366763. eCollection 2024.
Fathers are of great importance for healthy child development. This randomized controlled study investigated the longer-term effects of an intervention using a soft baby carrier on fathers' observed sensitive caregiving, involvement, and oxytocin and cortisol levels. First-time fathers were randomly assigned to use a baby carrier ( = 41) or baby seat ( = 39) and were asked to use the carrier or seat for at least 6 h per week for 3 weeks. Pretest ( = 2.67 months), posttest ( = 3.99 months), and follow-up ( = 8.25 months) father data were collected. No intervention effects of baby carrier use on fathers' sensitivity, involvement, and oxytocin or cortisol levels at follow-up emerged. Unexpectedly, fathers in the baby seat condition reported an increase in the amount of time spent with the infant. Fathers' sensitivity and oxytocin levels decreased over time, while cortisol levels increased over time, irrespective of condition. This study showed less optimal hormonal levels in fathers over time, suggesting that support during the first months of fatherhood is needed. Furthermore, use of a baby seat may have contributed to fathers enjoying their time with their infant and consequently their involvement in child caregiving.
父亲对于孩子的健康成长至关重要。这项随机对照研究调查了使用柔软婴儿背带进行干预对父亲观察到的敏感育儿、参与度以及催产素和皮质醇水平的长期影响。初为人父者被随机分配使用婴儿背带组（n = 41）或婴儿座椅组（n = 39），并被要求每周至少使用背带或座椅6小时，持续3周。收集了父亲在预测试（M = 2.67个月）、后测试（M = 3.99个月）和随访（M = 8.25个月）时的数据。在随访中，未发现使用婴儿背带对父亲的敏感性、参与度以及催产素或皮质醇水平有干预效果。出乎意料的是，使用婴儿座椅组的父亲报告与婴儿相处的时间有所增加。无论处于何种情况，父亲的敏感性和催产素水平随时间下降，而皮质醇水平随时间上升。这项研究表明，随着时间推移，父亲体内的激素水平不太理想，这表明在为人父的最初几个月需要给予支持。此外，使用婴儿座椅可能促使父亲享受与婴儿相处的时光，从而增加他们对育儿的参与度。
