本研究在探討準父親的身體化症狀、壓力與社會支持，並檢測出身髏化症狀數的預測因子。立意取樣150位準父親，及150位一般成年男性作比較。以身體症狀檢查表、壓力知覺量表和社會支持評量表為研究工具。以t檢定、變異數分析及對數迴歸等方法做分析。結果為：(1) 準父親組的症狀數比對照組多，68%的準父親有2個以上身體化症狀(即擬娩症候群)。(2) 準父親組的壓力程度高於對照組。(3) 壓力、社會支持和生活壓力事件是準父親身體化症狀數之最佳預測因子;而壓力和參加產前課程與否，可預測擬娩症候群的發生。本結果可提供為產前衛教課程設計之參考。

　　　　　This study was conducted to investigate the somatic symptoms stress and social support of expectant fathers, and to explore the potential predictors related to the somatic symptoms. Purposive sampling was used to recruit subjects of two groups: (1) expectant father group: 150 expectant fathers from obstetrical clinics of four hospitals. (2) control group: 150 matched males. Three instruments were used to collect data: The Somatic Symptom Checklist, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. Two-sample t-test, analysis of variance and multiple regression were utilized to analyze data. The results found that: (1) The expectant fathers suffered more somatic symptoms than control group, and sixty-eight percent of subjects were identified as having couvade syndrome. (2) Expectant fathers showed a ignificantly higher score on perceived stress than did the controls. (3) The best subsets to predict the criterion variable of couvade syndrome included perceived stress and the attendance of a prenatal class. Implications for nursing practice: (1) Increase nurses' knowledge of expectant fathers' experiences and enhance nurses' sensitivity to their somatic symptoms. (2) Encourage expectant fathers to participate in a prenatal class to promote their quality of life.