The effect of video-mediated communication on father-infant bonding and transition to fatherhood during and after Satogaeri Bunben

Aims: The study aimed to explore the effect of video-mediated communication on father-infant bonding and transition to fatherhood during and after Satogaeri Bunben.

Background: Satogaeri Bunben is a Japanese perinatal tradition that results in the pregnant wife and husband living apart, which may interfere with father-infant bonding and transition to fatherhood.

Design/methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted from July 2012 to November 2015. Participants were divided into two groups (Treatment/Control). Quantitative data included Taiji kanjyo Hyotei Syakudo (TKHS) , communication methods, husband's visitation records and video-mediated communication records and satisfaction of video-mediated communication experience. Qualitative data included participants' journal entries about their experience and feelings toward their infants during Satogaeri Bunben.

Results: Fourteen treatment and thirteen control dyads/couples participated in the study. There were significant differences between groups in the frequency of fathers' visitation during Satogaeri Bunben, as well as on the THKS between groups in cross-sectional analysis and in treatment group in longitudinal analysis. Fathers' journal entries revealed the use of video-mediated communication in both groups, specifically commenting about these experiences and the impact of additional visual cues when communicating.

Conclusion: Video-mediated communication provides a sense of virtual co-presence, which may help support father-infant bonding and transition to fatherhood; however, it does not completely substitute for face-to-face interaction.