Predicting Canadian First-Time Fathers' Early Childcare Involvement Behaviors Using an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior

摘要

The present study uses the theoretical framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior to help explain early father involvement. Three hundred primiparous Canadian couples, recruited via prenatal classes, completed prenatal and postnatal questionnaires. Path analysis results highlight fathers' attitudes regarding biological essentialism and beliefs about external control as the best predictors of fathers' prenatal involvement intentions. Fathers' prenatal involvement intentions, as well as mothers' biological essentialism and perception of paternal competence significantly contribute to predict fathers' involvement behaviors. Results underscore that biological essentialism beliefs in both parents contribute to the development of father involvement and point to the importance of considering prenatal intentions when predicting father involvement. Public Significance Statement In the prenatal period, fathers' biological essentialism attitudes (i.e., belief in maternal instinct) and perceived control over stress and work demands predict their intention to be involved in childcare. In turn, fathers' prenatal intentions, mothers' postnatal biological essentialism attitudes and perception of father competence contribute to explaining fathers' postnatal participation in infant care tasks. Belief in biological differences between mothers' and fathers' competence in childcare is presented by both mothers and fathers and appears to be important in shaping new parents' division of infant caring tasks. Overall, results highlight how men are developing their role as fathers before the birth of their first child, and the relevance for health-care providers to consider and include future fathers in prenatal appointments to promote their involvement.