What is a possible explanation for a husband's weight gain during his wife's pregnancy?

The correct answer, Couvade syndrome, refers to the phenomenon where a partner (often the husband) experiences physical and emotional symptoms that are similar to those of their pregnant partner. These symptoms can include weight gain, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and mood changes. This phenomenon has been associated with a psychological response to the pregnancy, where the partner may be reacting to the stress and changes brought about by impending fatherhood.

The weight gain observed in the husband during his wife's pregnancy could therefore be attributed to his empathic mirroring of her experiences or emotional responses to the changes occurring in their family dynamic. This aligns with the concept of Couvade syndrome, where the partner emotionally connects with the pregnancy, sometimes to the extent of exhibiting physical symptoms.

The other options do not appropriately explain the husband’s weight gain in this context. Culturalism syndrome is not a recognized term in this setting, the moratorium phase describes a stage of identity exploration often seen in adolescents or young adults rather than in a pregnancy context, and attachment generally refers to the emotional bond between parents and their child but does not specifically address physiological changes in partners during pregnancy.