Yıldırım Fatma, Şahin Ebru
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Hitit University, Bahçelievler mah., Samsun cad. No: 86, Merkez, Çorum 19200, Turkey.
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Ordu University, Cumhuriyet, Altınordu, Ordu 52200, Turkey.
Fam Pract. 2025 Apr 12;42(3). doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmaf024.
This study aimed to examine the effects of father involvement on father-infant bonding, postpartum depression in mothers, and quality of life.
The research involved randomized, controlled experimental design and was conducted from September 2021 to June 2023 with 63 mothers and fathers (31 in the experimental group and 32 in the control group). Fathers in the experimental group were given infant care training within the first 1-4 h after birth. The fathers were called with telephone in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks and participation in infant care was monitored. Data were collected using Personal Information Forms for Mother-Father, Baby Care Participation Chart, the Father-Infant Attachment Scale (FIAS), the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Maternal-Postpartum Quality of Life Scale (MPQOLS). Data analysis was done with SPSS and t-test, Mann-Whitney U, and Cohen's d were used.
Fathers in the experimental group displayed significantly higher mean FIAS scores (83.79 ± 5.89) and subscales compared to those in the control group (P < .05). Mothers in the experimental group exhibited lower mean EPDS scores in the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks (2.74 ± 2.07; 1.71 ± 3.51; 1.71 ± 3.43), along with higher MPQOLS mean scores (26.46 ± 2.11; 27.62 ± 1.55; 27.83 ± 1.41), as compared to the control group, with these differences being statistically significant (P < .05).
Father involvement strengthens father-infant bonding, reduces maternal postnatal depression risk, and improves postnatal quality of life. Healthcare providers, in postpartum care settings, could integrate father-focused education and support into routine care protocols.
This study was prospectively registered at NCT05588089.
本研究旨在探讨父亲参与对父子/女情感联结、母亲产后抑郁及生活质量的影响。
本研究采用随机对照实验设计，于2021年9月至2023年6月进行，共纳入63对父母（实验组31对，对照组32对）。实验组父亲在婴儿出生后的前1 - 4小时内接受婴儿护理培训。在第2、3、4、8和12周通过电话联系父亲，并监测其参与婴儿护理的情况。使用父母个人信息表、婴儿护理参与图表、父子/女依恋量表（FIAS）、爱丁堡产后抑郁量表（EPDS）和产后母亲生活质量量表（MPQOLS）收集数据。数据分析采用SPSS软件，使用t检验、曼 - 惠特尼U检验和科恩d值。
与对照组相比，实验组父亲的FIAS平均得分（83.79 ± 5.89）及各子量表得分显著更高（P <.05）。与对照组相比，实验组母亲在第4、8和12周的EPDS平均得分更低（2.74 ± 2.07；1.71 ± 3.51；1.71 ± 3.43），MPQOLS平均得分更高（26.46 ± 2.11；27.62 ± 1.55；27.83 ± 1.41），这些差异具有统计学意义（P <.05）。
父亲的参与可加强父子/女情感联结，降低母亲产后抑郁风险，并提高产后生活质量。在产后护理环境中，医疗服务提供者可将以父亲为重点的教育和支持纳入常规护理方案。
本研究已在NCT05588089进行前瞻性注册。
