Changes in identity and paternal–foetal attachment across a first pregnancy

Abstract

This paper explores change across a first pregnancy in the emergence of the father status and its relationship with paternal foetal attachment. A sample of 78 first‐time Australian fathers completed measures of their identity as fathers and the paternal antenatal attachment scale at the first and third trimester. There was no change in the identity measures. In contrast, paternal foetal attachment significantly increased with the imminent birth. Regression analyses supported the hypothesis that paternal foetal attachment would be predicted by father identity. The results are discussed with reference to limitations of the study and future research directions.
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