Fathers’ Childhood Experiences, Adult Mental Health Problems and Perceptions of Interactions With Their 36 Month-Old Children

Roni Mermelshtine,Jacqueline Barnes

doi:10.5539/jedp.v8n2p41

Abstract

Perceptions of poor care in the family of origin can relate to adverse mental health and poor adaptation for mothers but there is less evidence about fathers. This study investigated the relevance of fathers’ recollections of their own parents (Generation 1) for their (Generation 2) current mental health symptoms and for interactions with their 3-year-old children (Generations 2/3), in a community sample of 482 British fathers. Recollections of G1 maternal and paternal behaviour were associated in uncontrolled correlations with G2 paternal mental health, but taking family social class and maternal (G2) mental health into account they did not significantly predict G2 fathers’ mental health symptoms at 36 months postpartum, though a trend remained for G1 paternal care. Significant predictors were paternal depression symptoms in the first year postpartum and G2 mothers’ current mental health. Predictors of more dysfunctional father-child (G2/G3) interactions at 36 months postpartum were working class status, recall of more G1 maternal controlling behaviour and more concurrent paternal mental health symptoms; predictors of less G2/G3 dysfunction were G2 paternal use of more positive discipline. Potential implications of the results for parenting support and advice are discussed, recognising that intergenerational transmission of parent-child relationships is likely for fathers.

Highlights

Research within social learning or attachment frameworks has tended to focus predominantly on single parent-child dyad behaviour (Ramchandani & Iles, 2014) typically studying maternal behaviour, which may exaggerate the effects maternal caregivers have on child outcomes (Belsky, 1997)
Recollections of G1 maternal and paternal behaviour were associated in uncontrolled correlations with G2 paternal mental health, but taking family social class and maternal (G2) mental health into account they did not significantly predict G2 fathers’ mental health symptoms at 36 months postpartum, though a trend remained for G1 paternal care
This study focuses on the unique intergenerational transmission of the parenting of first generation (G1) mothers and fathers on present-day fathers’ (G2) mental health and on their relationships with their preschool children (G3)

Summary

Introduction

Research within social learning or attachment frameworks has tended to focus predominantly on single parent-child dyad behaviour (Ramchandani & Iles, 2014) typically studying maternal behaviour, which may exaggerate the effects maternal caregivers have on child outcomes (Belsky, 1997). Intergenerational transmission of parenting refers to observed similarities in childrearing across generations (Serbin & Karp, 2004), often explained with attachment or social learning theories (Belsky, Conger & Capaldi, 2009) The former theory purports that the quality of caregiver-child relationships in family of origin determine present-day parents’ child-rearing practices (Beaver & Belsky, 2012; van IJzendoorn, 1992). The latter maintains that through observations and imitation of their G1 parents, G2 children come to practice the parenting styles they experienced in their family of origin (Capaldi, Pears, Patterson & Owen, 2003). In one prospective US study, focused primarily on young disadvantaged G2 fathers with high levels of antisocial behaviour, G1 parents’ discipline and monitoring were shown to be associated with G2 fathers’ parenting practices; G1 poor care and harsh discipline was associated with similar patterns of behaviour in G2 fathers’ behaviours

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion