Father-newborn interaction: effects of social competence and infant state.
Indicators of both father and infant social competence were explored as predictors of four types of paternal interaction behavior: touch-affection/comfort, talk-affection/comfort, touch-stimulate, and talk-stimulate. Data collected from 114 father-newborn pairs 2 to 4 days after birth included perceived competence as a father, the infant's orientation and range of state scores on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, and the infant's behavioral state during a structured paternal-infant interaction. Infant state at the time of interaction was the best predictor, particularly of affection/comforting behavior. Infant orientation scores helped predict touch-stimulating behavior and range of state scores helped predict touch-affectional behavior. Paternal competence was a predictor of stimulating behavior. Results emphasized the importance of considering state behavior when observing fathers interacting with their newborns.