Factors Related to the Intra-Partner Postnatal Sense of Security in a Spanish Sample

Abstract

Background: The fathers' sense of security and their related factors during the process of parenthood remains largely unexplored. The objectives were to analyse: the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Parent's Postnatal Sense of Security scale used for fathers, and the factors related to fathers' sense of security during the postpartum period.

Methods: A total of 583 fathers participated. The fathers' version of the questionnaire was adapted for Spanish speakers. The psychometric properties of the instrument and its relationship with the mother's sense of security were considered.

Findings: The results showed that the data fit well with the original model (TLI = 0.98, CFI = 0.98, and RMSEA = 0.05). The fathers' sense of security was associated with previously having become a father (t = -2.39, p = .02), the level of state anxiety (r = -0.34; p < .01) and trait anxiety (r = -0.24; p < .01), as well as the sense of security of their partners (r = 0.55, p < .001). In the regression analysis, the mothers' sense of security construct provided the greatest explanation of the model.

Discussion: The results of this study highlight the importance of considering the family unit in pre-, intra-, and postnatal education in order to increase the sense of security of both parents and reduce their anxiety levels.

Application to practice: This study provides Spanish healthcare professionals with access to a scale for assessing fathers' sense of security in the immediate postpartum period and allows them to identify needs in the process of becoming parents, emphasising the inclusion of both parents in any intervention.

Keywords: Anxiety; Father; Intra-partner; Postpartum; Sense of security.