The postnatal testosterone rebound in first‐time fathers and the quality and quantity of paternal care

Abstract

In human males, testosterone (T) decreases in the period following the birth of offspring. This decline has been widely interpreted as a facultative neuroendocrine response that facilitates parenting effort. Conversely, research on if (or when) this decline in T would be followed by an eventual recovery and subsequent shift away from parenting effort is lacking. In a U.S. community sample of 225 males transitioning to first‐time fatherhood, we measured T at three occasions: third trimester, infant 3 months postnatal, and infant 9–10 months postnatal. Using a piecewise latent growth curve model (GCM), we detected a T rebound from when infants were 3 months old to when infants were 9‐10 months old. The slope of this rebound was able to predict paternal care using two distinct measures: (a) an experience sampling method (ESM) that gathered data on paternal time allocation over the course of the study period and (b) independent coders rating fathers for the quality of paternal care during a structured task designed to elicit an infant fear response. As predicted, the more accelerated one’s T rebound (slope), the less time fathers invested in their infants across the study period. However, we found a positive relationship between T rebound and quality of paternal care during a challenging activity. Discussion will focus on nuanced reasons that contribute to these findings as well as speculate on the ultimate function of a human paternal T rebound.

Cortisol and testosterone concentrations during the prenatal and postpartum period forecast later caregiving quality in mothers and fathers

“…In contrast, fathers' higher T was associated with increased child abuse risk, less observed positive parenting, and more observed negative parenting towards their 18-month-olds (Rodriguez et al, 2020). It is unclear how this relation between T and caregiving quality further develops as children age and men shift back to a mating orientation (Corpuz et al, 2020;Rosenbaum et al, 2018). The study from Corpuz et al (2020) detected a T rebound in fathers from when infants were 3 months old to when infants were 9-10 months.…”

“…It is unclear how this relation between T and caregiving quality further develops as children age and men shift back to a mating orientation (Corpuz et al, 2020;Rosenbaum et al, 2018). The study from Corpuz et al (2020) detected a T rebound in fathers from when infants were 3 months old to when infants were 9-10 months. As predicted, the more accelerated this T rebound, the less time fathers invested in their infants.…”

The Role of Paternal Involvement on Behavioral Sensitive Responses and Neurobiological Activations in Fathers: A Systematic Review

“…As opposed to the large number of studies addressing the regulation of this hormone in fathers (e.g., Grebe et al, 2019 ; Storey et al, 2020 ), we did not find some consistent evidence from more complex situations requiring paternal sensitive responsiveness and commitment in child rearing. However, this aspect will need to be uncovered in future research, since some nuances to the relationship between testosterone level and parental care have been preliminarily suggested (Kuo et al, 2018 ; Corpuz et al, 2021 ). Importantly, the heterogeneity of the included studies and the measures used for the assessment of paternal involvement may have influenced the results obtained.…”

Tracking Infant Development With a Smartphone: A Practical Guide to the Experience Sampling Method

“…Finally, a recent study used ESM to assess the relationship between testosterone and time fathers invested in their infants (Corpuz et al, 2021) In this study, testosterone was measured in first-time fathers (N = 225) during their transition into parenthood (pregnancy, 3 months postpartum, and 9-10 months postpartum). For the ESM part of the study, the authors assessed the time invested in direct infant care.…”