Examining relations among mothers', fathers', and children's language use in a dyadic and triadic context

Abstract

This study investigated mothers' and fathers' language use in dyadic and triadic contexts. Specific attention was paid to factors associated with the quantity and quality of mother and father language use in triadic settings. Sixty-three predominantly middle-class, two-parent families with toddlers (age 16 to 37 months) participated. Mother–child and father–child dyads and mother–father–child triads were observed in a laboratory setting during structured and free-play sessions. Results reveal differences in father and mother language usage across contexts and differential patterns of associations between fathers' and mothers' language use and children's language use in triadic settings. Mothers' language use in triadic settings was predicted by child age, maternal education, and maternal employment status. In contrast, father language use was related to child age, paternal sensitivity, and balanced co-parenting. Results are discussed in relation to Family Systems Theory and existing research on co-parenting and father involvement literatures.