The father’s attachment to the fetus and related factors in late pregnancy: a longitudinal study using a path analysis model

It is important for fathers to develop attachment to the fetus during pregnancy because paternal attachment to the fetus during pregnancy affects attachment to the child after birth. A continuum of paternal attachment exists from early to late pregnancy. However, few studies have longitudinally investigated the development of paternal attachment to the fetus during pregnancy. This study aimed to explore longitudinally factors related to the father’s attachment to the fetus in late pregnancy. A longitudinal study was conducted using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. The target population consisted of pregnant women (“mothers”) and their husbands (“fathers”) who were visiting a regional perinatal maternal and child health-care center in an urban area of Japan. The questionnaire was distributed to 300 pairs, among 195 who provided valid responses were included in the analysis. The questionnaire items for fathers included demographic characteristics, father’s attachment to the fetus, family functioning, and nurturing experience. The mother’s questionnaire included items on demographic characteristics and family functioning. The analysis used descriptive statistics, a corresponding t-test, and path analysis (p < .05). The directly associated factors for increasing fathers’ attachment to the fetus in late pregnancy were higher attachment to the fetus in early pregnancy, higher family functioning of the father in late pregnancy, older age of the father, and first birth. The mother’s perception of family functions in early and late pregnancy, the father’s own experience of nurturing from both parents, and the financial condition of the father and mother each had an indirect effect on the father’s attachment in late pregnancy. The final modified path model yielded a good fit for the father’s attachment to the fetus in late pregnancy. The present findings suggest that to enhance the father’s attachment to the fetus in late pregnancy, it is necessary to support the father in enhancing attachment to the fetus and family functioning from early pregnancy. These findings are expected to help develop effective programs aimed at enhancing fathers’ attachment to the fetus in late pregnancy.