Paternity leave and family relationships as reported by fathers

This study examined the relationship between the length of paternity leave and a father's reported relationships with their partner and their infant. Data were gathered from a sample of 88 fathers over the age of 18. The fathers had a baby within the previous 12 months, and had been living with their partner at the time of their child's birth. It was hypothesized that there would be a positive correlation between the length of paternity leave, and the father's relationship satisfaction with their partner. It was also hypothesized that there would be a positive correlation between the length of paternity leave, and the father's attachment to their infant. Fathers completed a demographic questionnaire to obtain information regarding the length and type of paternity leave they took, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale was used to assess relationship satisfaction and the attachment relationship was assessed using the Paternal Postnatal Attachment Questionnaire. There was a statistically significant positive relationship found between paternity leave and infant-father attachment (r=.22, p < .05). A significant relationship was not found between paternity leave and relationship satisfaction (r= -.02, p <.05). Independent samples-t tests was run to determine any differences on attachment levels based on whether or not men were reporting on their first or a subsequent child. Men reported higher levels of attachment on all scales when reporting on their first child. The differences were statistically significant.