Factors Influencing the Father-Infant Relationship

Abstract

Although studies offathering have become more prevalent in the last decade, there is a lack ofresearch describing thefactors that influence thefather-infant relationship from thefather's perspective. The goal of this article is to describe thefactors that influence the initial development of thefather-infant relationship during the infant'sfirst 2 months of life. Following interviews with 14 fathers, the data are analyzed using the constant comparative method. Fathers' adjustments in their work and social/personal time, in relationships with their wives, and within themselves influenced the development of their relationship with their infants. Other contextualfactors that influenced the development of thefather-infant relationship were the relationship that the men had with their ownfathers and the emotional and informational support that they receivedfrom their wives. Thefindings suggest that mothers have a powerful influence in assistingfathers to develop a relationship with their infants, through either inviting or excluding the fathers' involvement in infant care.