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The Father‐Infant Relationship: Becoming Connected
Author(s) -
Anderson Arnette Marie
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal for specialists in pediatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1744-6155
pISSN - 1539-0136
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6155.1996.tb00005.x
Subject(s) - grounded theory , developmental psychology , psychology , perception , qualitative research , social psychology , nursing , medicine , sociology , social science , neuroscience
purpose . To explore fathers' experiences of developing a relationship with their infants during the infant's first 2 months of life design . Grounded theory approach setting . Fathers' homes or other mutually agreed‐upon site participants . First‐time fathers (N = 14), ages 28–44, Caucasian, middle class main outcome measures . Tape‐recorded semistructured interviews to elicit fathers' perceptions of their fathering selves, their infants, and the father‐infant relationship. results . Using constant comparative method for analysis, three major categories were identified as operative in the initial development of the father‐infant relationship: (a) making a commitment, (b) becoming connected, and (c) making room for the baby. conclusions . With an increased understanding of the father‐infant relationship, nurses can provide humanistic, thoughtful care to assist fathers in developing this significant relationship.