FATHER-CHILD INTERACTIONS AT 3 MONTHS AND 24 MONTHS: CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHILDREN'S COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AT 24 MONTHS.

Lamprini Psychogiou,Alan Stein,Paul G. Ramchandani,Emily Perry,Vaheshta Sethna,Lynne Murray,Natasha E.L. Rowbotham,Jane Iles,Jill Domoney

doi:10.1002/imhj.21642

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe quality of father–child interactions has become a focus of increasing research in the field of child development. We examined the potential contribution of father–child interactions at both 3 months and 24 months to children's cognitive development at 24 months. Observational measures of father–child interactions at 3 and 24 months were used to assess the quality of fathers’ parenting (n = 192). At 24 months, the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition (N. Bayley, 1993) measured cognitive functioning. The association between interactions and cognitive development was examined using multiple linear regression analyses, adjusting for paternal age, education and depression, infant age, and maternal sensitivity. Children whose fathers displayed more withdrawn and depressive behaviors in father–infant interactions at 3 months scored lower on the MDI at 24 months. At 24 months, children whose fathers were more engaged and sensitive as well as those whose fathers were less controlling in their interactions scored higher on the MDI. These findings were independent of the effects of maternal sensitivity. Results indicate that father–child interactions, even from a very young age (i.e., 3 months) may influence children's cognitive development. They highlight the potential significance of interventions to promote positive parenting by fathers and policies that encourage fathers to spend more time with their young children.

Highlights

Fathers’ and Children’s Cognitive Development 379 las interacciones papa-infante a los 3 meses, obtuvieron un puntaje mas bajo en Mental Development Index (MDI) a los 24 meses
The quality of father–child interactions has become a focus of increasing research in the field of child development
We examined the potential contribution of father–child interactions at both 3 months and 24 months to children’s cognitive development at 24 months

Summary

Introduction

Fathers’ and Children’s Cognitive Development 379 las interacciones papa-infante a los 3 meses, obtuvieron un puntaje mas bajo en MDI a los 24 meses. Studies have focussed on the quantity of time fathers spend with their children and ( to a lesser extent) on the quality of their interactions These observational studies have suggested that even though parents display similarities in their interaction styles, father–child interactions have a distinct quality: more stimulating, vigorous, and arousing in comparison to mother–child interactions (Dixon et al, 1981; MacDonald & Parke, 1986). Their interactive episodes promote their child’s risk-taking and exploration tendencies (Kromelow, Harding, & Touris, 1990), which in turn may facilitate the development of children’s cognitive skills. It may be important to consider how fathers impact early child development, in addition to studying the influence of mothers

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