"Understanding Fathers' Bonding With Preterm Infants: Influencing Fathers and Infants' Variables".

PURPOSE Fathers are prone to suboptimal bonding with their preterm infants, but little is known about the roles that father and infant variables might play in the suboptimal bonding. This gap in knowledge limits the ability of nurses to identify and assist fathers at risk of suboptimal bonding. This study aims to identify (1) the bonding levels of fathers to their preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and (2) the association between father and infant variables and bonding of fathers to their preterm infants hospitalized in (NICUs).

DESIGN AND METHODS This is a secondary data analysis from a parent study in which we recruited 396 fathers using a cross-sectional quantitative design across United States. In the original study, we recruited 396 fathers of preterm infants over 5 months (September 2022 to January 2023). We used self-reported measures to collect data specific to fathers and infant variables and bonding using Paternal Postnatal Attachment Scale.

RESULTS In this sample, 73.12 ± 10.32 represents the average level of bonding for fathers of preterm infants. Additionally, low household income, previous preterm infants, and current multiple-birth infants were significantly associated with low bonding levels for fathers of preterm infants.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Results indicate a necessity to further support fathers' needs to bond with preterm infants in the NICU. Specifically, nurses can screen to identify fathers who are at risk for low bonding and provide at-risk fathers with an adequate degree of support like referral to social support.