The effect of partner-assisted haptonomy on maternal and paternal attachment and marital adjustment in pregnant women following infertility treatment: a randomized controlled trial

Infertility treatment presents significant psychological challenges for couples, affecting prenatal attachment and marital adjustment. Haptonomy, a touch-based intervention, has been proposed to enhance parent-infant bonding and strengthen partner relationships during pregnancy. However, limited research has explored its impact on couples conceiving through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This study examined the effects of partner-assisted haptonomy on prenatal attachment and marital adjustment in women who conceived through infertility treatment. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 47 pregnant women and their partners at an in vitro fertilization centre in Turkey. Participants were assigned to either the intervention group, receiving partner-assisted haptonomy sessions, or the control group, receiving routine prenatal care. Prenatal attachment and marital adjustment were assessed using the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), Paternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (PAAS), and Marital Adjustment Scale (MAS). Data were collected at baseline, fourth, and eighth weeks. Haptonomy significantly improved both maternal and paternal attachment over time. Fathers in the intervention group demonstrated a greater emotional connection with the fetus compared to the control group. Additionally, haptonomy positively influenced marital adjustment, with couples reporting improved communication and emotional closeness. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed a significant time effect on all outcome measures (<i>p</i> < 0.001), with more potent effects on paternal attachment and marital adjustment. Partner-assisted haptonomy may be a valuable intervention for couples conceiving through ART, promoting prenatal attachment and marital adjustment. Integrating haptonomy into prenatal care could provide psychological benefits, supporting family dynamics and emotional well-being during pregnancy. Further research is needed to examine the long-term impact on postnatal bonding and family relationships.