ABSTRACT
Resumo Pretende-se averiguar se o estresse parental e o apoio social contribuem para o envolvimento paterno (EP), e analisar a relação desse envolvimento com variáveis sociodemográficas (pai/criança). Participaram do estudo 92 homens, pais de crianças em idade escolar (6 a 9 anos). Utilizou-se a Escala de Envolvimento Paterno e as adaptações portuguesas do Parenting Stress Index-Short Form e do Social Support Questionaire. Verificou-se que apenas o estresse parental (Interação e Criança) se constitui como preditor do EP (Cuidados e Disponibilidade). Verificou-se ainda uma associação entre o EP e o número de filhos. Os resultados sugerem que níveis elevados de estresse parental poderão ser prejudiciais para o envolvimento do pai em termos de cuidados e disponibilidade, sendo também relevante o maior número de filhos.
Abstract This study aims to ascertain whether parenting stress and social support contribute to father involvement (FI), and to analyze the relationship between this involvement and sociodemographic variables (parent/child). The participants were 92 men, parents of school-aged children (6 to 9 years). The Father Involvement Scale and the Portuguese adaptions of the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form and Social Support Questionaire. Only parenting stress (Interaction and Child subscales) was found to be a predictor of FI (Caring and Availability subscales). A relationship between FI and the number of children was also observed. The results suggest that high levels of parenting stress may jeopardize fathers' involvement in terms of caring and availability, while the higher number of children is also a relevant factor.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Recent initiatives have promoted the participation of fathers in the early care of their children. Objective: To assess the results of a program to encourage parental involvement in childbirth. Parents of healthy term newborns were randomly allocated to participate either in the birth experience or control. Patients and Methods: The protocol included: to dry the skin, umbilical cord cutting off, weight, height, and finally give him/her to the mother for the skin-to-skin contact. Heart rate (HR), respiratory (RR) and temperature were evaluated one hour later. In the first outpatient clinic assessment, mothers completed a questionnaire. 127 fathers participated either in the birth experience or control. Results: 62 followed the protocol and 65 the control. Both newborn groups were comparable. Also were fathers in age, education and rurality; mothers in primiparity. Significant differences: night care (37/62, 10/65 59.6% vs 15.4%, p < 0.01); post prandial assistance (50/62, 14/65 80.6% vs 21.5%, p < 0.01); participation in bathing (38/62, 61.3% vs 15/65, 23.1%, p < 0.01); newborn visit upon arrival at home (46/62, 74.2% vs 22/65, 33.8%, p < 0.01); helping in crying episodes (42/62, 67.7% vs 17/65, 26.1%, p < 0.01). There was stability in HR, RR and temperature one hour postpartum. Only one case of complication among parents (fainting). Conclusions: There were more cases of early care behaviors among participating fathers at birth, even belonging to a discouraging socio cultural environment.
Introducción: Recientes iniciativas, han promovido la participación de los padres en los cuidados tempranos de sus hijos. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados de un programa de estímulo a la participación paterna en el parto. Se incluyeron padres de RN de término sanos, asignados aleatoriamente para participar en la experiencia del parto o control. Pacientes y Metodos: El protocolo incluyó: secado de la piel, corte de cordón umbilical, peso, estatura, y finalmente, entrega a la madre para el contacto piel a piel. Se evaluó frecuencia cardiaca (FC), respiratoria (FR) y temperatura una hora después. En el primer control ambulatorio, las madres completaron un cuestionario. 127 padres participaron en la experiencia del parto o control. Resultados: 62 asignados al protocolo y 65 al control. Ambos grupos de RN resultaron comparables. También los padres, en edad, escolaridad, ruralidad, y las madres, en primiparidad. Diferencias significativas: asistencia nocturna (37/62, 59,6% vs 10/65, 15,4%, p < 0,01); post prandial (50/62, 80,6% vs 14/65, 21,5%, p < 0,01); participación en el baño (38/62, 61,3% vs 15/65, 23,1%, p < 0,01); visita al RN al llegar al domicilio (46/62, 74,2% vs 22/65, 33,8%, p < 0,01); ayuda ante episodios de llanto (42/62, 67,7% vs 17/65, 26,1%, p < 0,01). Hubo estabilidad en FC, FR y temperatura una hora post-parto. Sólo un caso de complicación entre los padres (lipotimia). Conclusiones: Hubo más conductas de interés en cuidados tempranos, entre los padres participantes en el parto, aún perteneciendo a un medio sociocultural que no las promueve ni facilita.