Abstract
BackgroundPositive-interaction parenting early in childhood is encouraged due to its association with behavioural development later in life. The objective of this study was to examine if the level of positive-interaction parenting style differs among teen, optimal age, and advanced age mothers in Canada, and to identify the characteristics associated with positive-interaction parenting style separately for each age group.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. First-time mothers with children 0–23 months were grouped into: teen (15–19 years, N = 53,409), optimal age (20–34 years, N = 790,960), and advanced age (35 years and older, N = 106,536). The outcome was positive-interaction parenting style (Parenting Practices Scale); maternal socio-demographics, health, social, and child characteristics were considered for backward stepwise multiple linear regression modeling, stratified for each of the age groups.ResultsTeen, optimal age, and advanced age mothers reported similar levels of positive- interaction parenting style. Covariates differed across the three age groups. Among optimal age mothers, being an ever-landed immigrant, childcare use, and being devoted to religion were found to decrease positive-interaction parenting style, whereas, higher education was found to increase positive-interaction parenting style. Teen mothers were not found to have any characteristics uniquely associated with positive-interaction parenting. Among advanced age mothers, social support was uniquely associated with an increase in positive-interaction parenting. Very good/excellent health was found to be positively associated with parenting in teens but negatively associated with parenting in advanced age mothers.ConclusionCharacteristics associated with positive-interaction parenting varied among the three age groups. Findings may have public health implications through information dissemination to first-time mothers, clinicians, researchers, and public health facilities.
Highlights
Positive-interaction parenting early in childhood is encouraged due to its association with behavioural development later in life
The total number of women analyzed in this study was 950,905 primiparous Canadian mothers whose child was 0–23 months of age at the time of interview
Proportions in marital status across age groups significantly differed (p < .001); only 52.2% of teen mothers reported being married or with a partner compared to optimal age and advanced age mothers whereby majority (> 90%) reported having a partner
Summary
Positive-interaction parenting early in childhood is encouraged due to its association with behavioural development later in life. With appropriate parenting motivation and quality, it may protect children from harm and guide them to healthy physical and emotional wellbeing [1] It has an immediate effect on behaviour such as aggression, emotion, conduct, and hyperactivity [2,3,4,5,6], and strong associations with improved academic functioning and self-control [7,8,9]. Mothers with positive-interaction parenting display warmth and responsiveness that allows their child to be independent [15, 16]. They are involved with their child’s activities and are engaged in positive reinforcement (e.g., celebrating their child’s accomplishments). Research has shown that the warmth displayed by the mother positively predicts positive development in the child later in life [17, 18]
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