Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of The Childbirth Process On The Attitudes And Behaviors Of New Fathers, Janice Ryser

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Attitudes of 74 first-time fathers were studied as they varied vi by childbirth preparation and participation. A 50-variable questionnaire was used to tap fathers' attitudes towards their marital relationship and partner, their infants, themselves as fathers, and the pregnancy/childbirth experience.

Fathers agreed on being elated with fatherhood, wanting tactile, verbal, and extended home contact with their infants, planning on a partnership in parenting, and seeing their marriage at a high point. They saw pregnancy as a time of stress and adjustment and felt father participation was important. Their attitudes varied most on wife's performance and their own helpfulness through labor …