Work

Sensitive responsiveness in expectant and new fathers

Year: 2023

Type: review

Abstract: Fathers have an increasingly important role in the family and contribute through their sensitive responsiveness to positive child development. Research on parenting more often included fathers as caregivers in the past two decades. We present a neurobiological model of sensitive responsive parenting with a role for fathers' hormonal levels and neural connectivity and processing of infant signals. We tested this model in a research program ("Father Trials") with correlational and randomized experimental studies, and we review the results of these studies. So far, interaction-focused behavioral interventions seem most promising in supporting fathers' sensitive responsiveness, even though the mechanisms are still uncharted.

Source: Current Opinion in Psychology

DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101580

Authors: Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marinus H. van IJzendoorn

Institutions: Stockholm University, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Monash Health, Monash University, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Language: English

Topic: Family Dynamics and Relationships

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,850