Effect of infertility on mothers' and fathers' interactions with young infants

Fathers, Mothers and Marriages: What Shapes Adoption Conversations in Families with Young Adopted Children?

“…The findings extend prior knowledge on adoptive family communication (Wrobel et al, 2003) and patterns of co-parenting (Holditch-Davis et al, 1999;Levy-Shiff et al, 1997) to an internationally adoptive sample. The results shed light on overlapping family subsystems-marital, co-parenting, and mother-child and father-child dyads-that interrelate to influence parental engagement in discussions of adoption.…”

“…Levy-Shiff et al noted that the differences between internationally and domestically adoptive fathers was notable, a finding consistent with evidence for greater contextual influences on paternal involvement than on maternal (Doherty & Beaton, 2004). Other studies of the transition to parenthood following infertility or adoption have documented a unique impact on fathers (Abbey, Andrews, & Halman, 1994;Holditch-Davis et al, 1999). Understanding adoption's impact on processes of father and family engagement remains an intriguing focus for longitudinal investigation.…”

“…The collaborative problem solving, decision making, and arduous requirements and logistics necessary for an adoption may build a greater tolerance for conflict and a sturdier sense of unity (Leon, 2002). Achieving parenthood in some nontraditional way (e.g., adoption, assisted reproductive techniques) has been associated with increased parental engagement (Harris & Ryan, 2004), lower parenting stress (Golombok et al, 1995), and a more equal balance between father-child and mother-child interaction (Holditch-Davis, Sandelowski, & Glenn Harris, 1999). International adoption, in particular, was found to accentuate the positive co-parenting partnership, promote attentive parenting, and increase feelings of family cohesion and a positive view of adoption (Levy-Shiff, Zoran, & Shulman, 1997).…”

Furthering the Understanding of Parent-Child Relationships: A Nursing Scholarship Review Series. Part 4: Parent-Child Relationships at Risk

“…In two studies, Holditch-Davis, Sandelowski, and Harris (1998; 1999) examined caregiving interactions of parents at risk for relationship difficulties due to infertility. The aim of the first study (1998) was to detect differences between two groups of infertile parents, those who eventually became pregnant ( n = 30) and those who adopted ( n = 21) and their infants, and to compare the interactions of the groups with those of biological parents without fertility problems ( n = 19).…”

“…In the second study, Holditch-Davis and colleagues (1999) also examined the differences between mothers and fathers in infertile couples, some of whom became pregnant and some who adopted, and their interactions with their infants. They found that infertility, especially in couples who adopted, had differential effects on mothers’ and fathers’ interactions with their children.…”