Instrumentality, Expressiveness, and Gender Effects Upon Parent-Infant Interaction

Abstract
The present investigation clarifies the relationship of masculine attributes, feminine attributes, and androgyny as each relate to parent-infant interaction. Thirty-seven couples expecting their first infant participated in the study. All participants completed' the Personal Attributes Questionnaire during their final weeks of structured Lamaze childbirth classes and were then interviewed three weeks post-partum in their homes. Femininity alone was found to be sufficient in accounting for the variance relating to parent-infant interaction. Gender was found to play a significant role as well with the least feminine women interacting significantly more with their infants than the most feminine men. Results are discussed within a social learning and self-efficacy framework.

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