Abstract
Objective: This study aims to assess the relationship between marital adjustment and paternal-infant attachment.
Methods: This descriptive-cross sectional study was conducted between March and April 2017. No sampling was performed, the study was
conducted with 110 fathers who could be accessed between the aforementioned dates and who had babies aged between 0 to 12 months
old. Questionnaires were asked fathers by researchers.The outcome measurements: Socio-demographic Information Form, Marital Adjustment
Test, and PIAQ. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 13.0 program.
Results: Fathers’ MAT mean score was found 44.182±5.17, and PIAQ mean score was found 77.935±8.08. There was a positive, weak, but
significant relationship between MAT and PIAQ (r=0.25; p=0.009). Marital adjustment scores were found to increase with the increase in
“patience”, “tolerance”, and “pleasure in interaction” subscale scores. MATsubscales were found to affect each other positively, and this effect
was found to have a significant relationship with paternal-infant attachment level (p<0.05). Good relationship with the spouse was found have
statistically significant relationship with paternal-infant attachment (MWU=165.500; p=0.000).
Conclusion: This study revealed that marital adjustment has effects on paternal-infant attachment.