Investigation of fathers' attachment styles to their own parents and their perceptions of fatherhood role

In this study, it was aimed to examine the attachment styles and fatherhood role perceptions of fathers with children between the ages of 3-6 and to reveal the factors that may be effective in their perceptions of the fatherhood role. To research; Fathers with children aged 3-6 years in the city center of Ankara were included. In the study, "General Information Form" prepared by the researcher to collect information about some socio-demographic data about the participants, "Three-Dimensional Attachment Styles Scale" to determine fathers' attachment styles, and "Father Role Perception Scale" to determine fathers' own perceptions of their own fatherhood role were used. According to the results obtained, it was determined that the perception of fatherhood role differed according to the age of fatherhood, father's education level, socioeconomic level, spouse's education level, mother's education level, father's education level, spouse's employment status and number of children. Attachment styles were found to differ according to the father's spending active time with his parents, growing up in a peaceful family environment, receiving enough love, having problems with his parents, experiencing physical violence, his relationship with his mother and father, his father's attitude, his parents' level of agreement and his relationship with his spouse. In the study, a weak positive and significant relationship was found between the Fathering Role Perception Scale and the secure attachment sub-dimension of the Three-Dimensional Attachment Styles Scale (r=0.210; p<0.01). It was determined that secure attachment scores increased as the total scores of the Fathering Role Perception Scale increased. In addition, it was determined that there was a weak, negative and significant relationship between the Fathering Role Perception Scale and the avoidant attachment sub-dimension of the Three-Dimensional Attachment Styles Scale (r=-0,209; p<0,01). It is seen that as the father role perception scale scores increase, avoidant attachment scores decrease. In line with the findings obtained as a result of the research, recommendations were presented to parents and experts and institutions working in the field. Keywords: Fathering Role, Perception of Fathering Role, Attachment, Attachment Styles