Does father involvement affect attachment and maternal depression and quality of life?: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of father involvement on father-infant bonding, postpartum depression in mothers, and quality of life.

Materials and methods: The research involved randomized, controlled experimental design and was conducted from September 2021 to June 2023 with 63 mothers and fathers (31 in the experimental group and 32 in the control group). Fathers in the experimental group were given infant care training within the first 1-4 h after birth. The fathers were called with telephone in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks and participation in infant care was monitored. Data were collected using Personal Information Forms for Mother-Father, Baby Care Participation Chart, the Father-Infant Attachment Scale (FIAS), the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Maternal-Postpartum Quality of Life Scale (MPQOLS). Data analysis was done with SPSS and t-test, Mann-Whitney U, and Cohen's d were used.

Results: Fathers in the experimental group displayed significantly higher mean FIAS scores (83.79 ± 5.89) and subscales compared to those in the control group (P < .05). Mothers in the experimental group exhibited lower mean EPDS scores in the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks (2.74 ± 2.07; 1.71 ± 3.51; 1.71 ± 3.43), along with higher MPQOLS mean scores (26.46 ± 2.11; 27.62 ± 1.55; 27.83 ± 1.41), as compared to the control group, with these differences being statistically significant (P < .05).

Conclusion: Father involvement strengthens father-infant bonding, reduces maternal postnatal depression risk, and improves postnatal quality of life. Healthcare providers, in postpartum care settings, could integrate father-focused education and support into routine care protocols.

Clinical trial registration: This study was prospectively registered at NCT05588089.