Abstract
BackgroundDiscrepancies between parents’ reports of paternal parenting have been gaining attention, but epidemiological evidence is scarce in Asia. This study aimed to clarify agreement/discrepancy between paternal and maternal recognition of paternal parenting and the association between actual paternal parenting time and background factors.MethodsData from couples whose children attended 4-month child health check-ups in Fukushima City were analyzed (N = 509). Based on paternal recognition of paternal parenting (PRPP) and maternal recognition of paternal support (MRPS), couples were classified into four groups. Each group’s paternal household work and parenting time were analyzed. Univariable and multivariable analysis were performed to investigate the association between agreement/discrepancy and background factors of children and parents.ResultsFrequency of positive agreement (PRPP+ and MRPS+) was 83.9%, whereas negative agreement (PRPP− and MRPS−) was 2.6%. As for discrepancy, PRPP+ and MRPS− was 8.4% and PRPP− and MRPS+ was 5.1%. Fathers’ total median parenting time was 2 (weekdays) and 6 (weekends) hours, and showed significant differences among the four groups. Multivariable analysis revealed that compared to positive agreement, maternal mental health condition and pregnancy intention were significantly associated with the discrepancy PRPP+ and MRPS−, paternal mental health condition and marital satisfaction with the discrepancy PRPP− and MRPS+, and maternal mental health condition with negative agreement.ConclusionsWe identified differences in parenting time and mental health characteristics among couples depending on agreement/discrepancy in recognition of paternal parenting. Assessing both parents’ profiles is necessary in clinical practice to promote paternal participation in childcare.
Highlights
Japanese mothers tend to experience physical and mental fatigue in the early postpartum period because, in part, they receive little support from their husbands.[1]
Poor physical health condition was identified in 0.6% of the mothers (n = 3), and 15.3% had poor mental health condition (n = 77)
Groups A and C Discrepancy between self-recognition of paternal parenting and maternal reliance on paternal support was significantly associated with fathers’ mental health condition and fathers’ marital satisfaction (Table 4). Both of these variables remained significantly associated with discrepancy in recognition of paternal parenting between parents (Table 5)
Summary
Japanese mothers tend to experience physical and mental fatigue in the early postpartum period because, in part, they receive little support from their husbands.[1] Maternal mental distress after child birth leading to marital difficulties is gaining social attention, and has been referred to as the “postpartum crisis” by national media reports.[2] To construct more effective parenting support policies and programs in clinical practice, maternal and child health professionals should rethink ways to promote and support coparenting. Japanese policies focus mainly on supporting women and their child rearing burden based on the male breadwinner model.[3] More attention needs to be drawn to fathers’ responsibilities in parenting. Discrepancies between parents’ reports of paternal parenting have been gaining attention, but epidemiological evidence is scarce in Asia. This study aimed to clarify agreement=discrepancy between paternal and maternal recognition of paternal parenting and the association between actual paternal parenting time and background factors
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