This study aimed to investigate the effects of a reinforcement program for behavioral skills in postpartum care for couples with their first baby.

The study used a non-equivalent control group and pretest-posttest design. It was conducted from January 14 to April 10, 2016 at a postpartum care center in D city. It analyzed 43 couples (22 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group.) For data analysis, descriptive statistics, test of homogeneity in pretest, independent t-tests, and repeated measures ANOVA were used.

For maternal fulfillment of postpartum care and postpartum fatigue, there was no significant difference in the interaction between group and time. In terms of parent-newborns attachment, the interaction between group and time showed a significant difference for mothers (F=13.63, p=.001) and fathers (F=6.51, p=.001). In marital intimacy, the interaction between group and time showed a significant difference for mothers (F=14.40, p<.001) and fathers (F=9.46, p=.004). In parenting stress, the interaction between group and time showed a significant difference for mothers (F=31.8, p<.001) and fathers (F=11.69, p=.001). A significant difference was found for the mothers' postpartum sleeping hours (F=0.14 p=.004).

This program for behavioral skills in postpartum care, which is based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills model, improves postpartum care, parent-newborn attachment, marital intimacy, parenting stress, and maternal postpartum sleeping, by reinforcing behavioral skills required for postpartum care.