Sensitive and involved parenting in fathers Not Applicable
Conditions
Interventions
Participants are randomised using a random number generator, odd vs even numbers decided on assignment.
This intervention manipulates the amount of physical contact between father and
Sponsors
European Research Council
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
Male
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Male adults who recently had their first baby 2. The infant is healthy and full-term (i.e., born after 37 weeks of gestation)
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Not cohabitating with the biological mother of the child 2. No mastery of the Dutch language 3. A current endocrine disorder, or the use of medication potentially interfering with the endocrine system 4. A cardiovascular disease 5. A psychiatric disorder 6. Current heavy drinking, regular use of soft drugs, use of hard drugs within the past 3 months 7. MRI contraindications (e.g., metallic foreign objects, a neurological disorder) 8. Using a baby carrier for over 5 hours per week at the time of inclusion 9. Having an upper torso injury that could hinder the use of a baby carrier
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Quality of interaction with infant measured using the Ainsworth (1974) observation scales and Challenging Play Behavior scales at baseline (2 months), after the intervention (3.5 months) and at follow-up (7 months) | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Involvement in infant care measured using a questionnaire and a mobile phone application at baseline (2 months), after the intervention (3.5 months) and at follow-up (7 months) 2. Oxytocin levels and cortisol levels (baseline and reactivity to interaction with infant) measured using saliva and hair samples at baseline (2 months), after the intervention (3.5 months) and at follow-up (7 months) 3. Differential activity and connectivity in parental brain areas, resting state and reactivity to infant stimuli, measured using (f)MRI at baseline (2 months), after the intervention (3.5 months) and at follow-up (7 months) | — |
Countries
Netherlands
Outcome results
None listed