Investigating Parental Self-Efficacy and Paternal Antenatal Attachment among Expectant Fathers

Abstract

Parental Self-efficacy refers to the belief in one’s own parenting skills and knowledge. Paternal
Antenatal Attachment is the love and care that expectant fathers have on their unborn foetus. This
forms the base for their future attachment. In this patriarchal society, fathers are stigmatized to be the
disciplinarian and act emotionally distant. But now most of the paternal figures are getting involved in
child care. The origin for most of the behavioural issues lies in the early developmental period of the
child. This study aims to understand the interactions between Parental Self-efficacy and Paternal
Antenatal Attachment. The standardized tools employed in this study are Paternal Antenatal
Attachment Scale and Parental Self-efficacy scale. A sample of 142 expectant fathers were taken.
Results of the study revealed a significant positive correlation between Parental Self -efficacy and
Paternal Antenatal Attachment along with its dimensions. Also, Parental Self-efficacy had an effect on
Paternal Antenatal Attachment and its dimensions. There exists a difference in both variables between
First time Expectant fathers and Non-first time Expectant Fathers. So we can inculcate the required
parenting skills like Parenting Self-efficacy through more awareness and training programs. This will
pave the way for healthier development of a child.