Mother Caregivers Research Articles

LIFE COURSE APPROACH TO CAREGIVING FOR AGING PARENTS: THE ROLE OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES

Abstract The high strain and burden of caring for aging parents have been well-documented. Few but growing studies have found the effects of earlier distal factors, such as childhood maltreatment, on negative mental health for caregivers of aging parents. Taking a life course approach to intergenerational caregiving, this study examined the long-term impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult caregivers of aging parents. Using data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), we analyzed a sample of 412 caregivers of aging mothers. We conducted a series of latent class analyses (LCA) for a holistic assessment of the patterns of ACEs among the caregivers. Respondents’ exposure to ACEs available in MIDUS included parental neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual assault (perpetrator not specified), living with a household member with a substance use issue, and parental divorce/separation/death during childhood. Among the caregivers of mothers, we identified a five-latent-class structure: No/low ACEs (60%), Neglect and Household Challenges (12%), Paternal Abuse (5%), Parental Physical Abuse (16%), and Substantial ACEs (7%). The respondent’s education was significantly associated with latent class membership. Caregivers in the Substantial ACEs class showed consistently worse physical and mental health than those in the No/low ACEs class. The current study contributes to raising awareness of adult-child caregivers who experienced childhood trauma, who may deal with accumulated disadvantages from childhood adversities, their potential correlates, and current caregiving. Further investigations will help find ways to reduce ACEs’ impact in order to promote the health of these caregivers and strengthen their well-being.

Psychosocial burden in mothers with epilepsy and their caregiver: Feasibility and preliminary results of a digital screening procedure

ObjectiveThe present study aims to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing a digital procedure to screen for anxiety and depression as well as impairments in psychosocial aspects, such as social support, social activity and quality of life (QoL) in women with epilepsy (WWE) after childbirth. Furthermore, the study intends to digitally screen for burden of the respective caregivers in WWE compared to a healthy control group. Materials and methodsThis comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the post-partum period on 30 WWE and 33 healthy controls who gave birth between 01/2018 and 05/2021. Additionally, 24 caregivers of WWE and 26 caregivers of healthy mothers took part in this study. Information on psychosocial health and psychosocial burden was collected digitally using the short version of the Social Support Questionnaire, the Social Activity Self-Report Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The caregiver burden was digitally assessed with the Zarit Burden Scale in its German adaptation (i.e., Zarit Burden Interview and the Family Burden Questionnaire). Furthermore, QoL was assessed with the QOLIE-31 (Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory) in WWE and with the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire in healthy controls. ResultsWhen comparing WWE and healthy controls, the groups were comparable on psychosocial aspects, such as self-reported social support, anxiety, depression and social activity, when assessed with self-report measures in a digital screening procedure.Although not significantly different between groups, anxiety, depression, self-reported social support and social activity were correlated with overall QoL in both, WWE and healthy controls.Caregivers of WWE and healthy controls were neither significantly different in their objective burden nor in their subjective burden as reported in digitally applied self-report measures. ConclusionAlthough not significantly different between groups, given the correlation between psychosocial aspects and QoL, it is worthwhile to include these aspects in standard clinical screening extending beyond the screening of anxiety and depression in WWE.Overall, the preliminary psychosocial data presented in this study suggest that a digital assessment of psychosocial burden seems reasonable in WWE and warrants integration into further research and clinical practice.Nevertheless, since no significant differences concerning psychosocial aspects were found in the present study, one may argue that highly specialized clinical care, as provided in the present study, may counteract potential psychosocial impairment experienced by WWE who do not receive such specialized care.Hence, further investigations outside of specialized outpatient clinics as well as prospective investigations of subjective factors that may dynamically change during pregnancy ought to be addressed in clinical practice and research for improving care during and after pregnancy in WWE.

Fibromyalgia syndrome in mothers of children with cerebral palsy and its relationship with caregiver burden: a cross-sectional study

Objectives: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a stress-related disease. The birth of a child with cerebral palsy (CP) is an important stress factor for the mother. This study aims to investigate the incidence of FMS in mothers of children with CP by comparing it with the control group and determining the factors affecting the severity of FMS. Methods: The study included 112 children with CP (age: 38-216 months), their caregiver mother (age: 23-50 years) (Group 1) and 52 non-disabled children (age: 40-180 months), their caregiver mothers (age: 27-50 years) (Group 2). Children were evaluated with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the functional independence scale for children (WeeFIM). The mothers were evaluated according to the 2010 ACR FMS diagnostic criteria. The FMS Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale (BCOS) were applied. Results: In Group 1, mothers had higher anxiety-depression scores and caregiving burden than Group 2 (p < 0.05). FMS rate was %31.3 in Group 1 and %5.7 in Group 2. Mothers' anxiety-depression scores, widespread pain index, symptom severity score, pain, and caregiver burden were higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05). Factors affecting the severity of FMS are the number of siblings of children with CP, the number of siblings with CP, GMFCS, dependence level, anxiety-depression levels of mothers, and caregiver burden. The most influential factor is the caregiver burden. Conclusions: Long-term heavy caregiver burden in mothers of children with CP may be effective in developing FMS.

Impacts of Caregiving for Individuals with Autism in Low-Resource Settings, a Report from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Caring for children with different developmental trajectories brings various challenges, which are often exacerbated in low-resource settings. International research has shown that raising a child with autism strongly impacts family caregivers, particularly mothers. There is a dearth of information regarding caregiving for individuals with autism in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and for fathers as well as mothers. This study examined the similarities and differences in caregiving for mothers and fathers of a child with autism in KRI using validated rating scales to measure various aspects of their general well-being.Over two years, a sample of 118 parents of individuals with autism (81 mothers and 37 fathers) self-completed the rating scales, which were further discussed through individual interviews with service personnel mainly known to them.The findings indicated that mothers and fathers were similarly impacted. Although there were no statistically significant differences in the ratings of their general health, sources of stress, family functioning, and satisfaction with caregiving, the majority of parents had elevated ratings on all the measures. In addition, parents who rated their children higher on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist had significantly higher scores on their general health issues and were less satisfied with their caregiving role. Parents of female individuals with autism were also significantly more stressed compared to the male individuals with autism and parents of children who received a diagnosis before three years of age, reported fewer behavioral problems with their child compared to the parents who received a diagnosis when the child was older.In this sample, mothers and fathers seem to be similarly impacted by caring for a child with autism, which is contrary to findings from other countries. However, in this region, family bonds between couples and the wider family may have had an influence which further cross-cultural research in low-resource settings could help elucidate, notwithstanding the challenges this poses. The findings have policy implications for health authorities in the KRI to improve the support provided to both mothers and fathers who care for children with autism, which presently is rarely available to them.

Bidirectional associations between parenting stress and child psychopathology: The moderating role of maternal affection.

Parenting stress and child psychopathology are closely linked in parent-child dyads, but how the bidirectional association varies across childhood and adolescence, and shifts depending on maternal affection are not well understood. Guided by the transactional model of development, this longitudinal, prospective study examined the bidirectional relations between parenting stress and child internalizing and externalizing problems and investigated the moderating role of maternal affection from childhood to adolescence. Participants were from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a diverse, nationally representative sample of 2,143 caregiving mothers who completed assessments at children ages 5, 9, and 15. Using cross-lagged panel modeling, we found bidirectional effects between parenting stress and child internalizing and externalizing problems. However, additional multigroup analyses showed that bidirectional associations depend on the levels of maternal affection. In the high maternal affection group, parenting stress at age 5 predicted higher internalizing and externalizing problems at age 9, and reverse child-to-parent paths were found from age 9 to age 15. In contrast, only one cross-lagged path was found in the low maternal affection group. Findings suggest that maternal affection can heighten the transactional associations between parenting stress and child psychopathology.

Cognitive and Socioemotional Caregiving in Mothers, Fathers, and Children’s Other Caregivers from 51 Low- and Middle-Income Countries

SYNOPSIS Objective. Cognitive and socioemotional caregiving practices are both important for child development, but little is known about the extent to which children’s different caregivers engage in the two types of practices or their relative effects on child development, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Design. The current study investigates how often mothers, fathers, and children’s other caregivers in 159,959 families from 51 LMICs engage in cognitive versus socioemotional caregiving practices, associations between these caregiving practices, and how the balance between these practices predicts child development. Results. Caregivers reportedly engage in more socioemotional than cognitive caregiving practices in all LMICs examined at all levels of national development. The more mothers, fathers, and other caregivers reportedly engage in cognitive caregiving practices, the more they engage in socioemotional parenting practices. Engaging in cognitive caregiving practices is the strongest predictor of early childhood development when considering cognitive caregiving, socioemotional caregiving, and the balance between the two types of caregiving. Conclusions. Promoting increased caregiver use of cognitive caregiving and integration of cognitive and socioemotional caregiving could close the gap between the number of cognitive and socioemotional caregiving activities parents engage in and potentially promote child development in LMICs.

Young Adult Caregiving Daughters and Diagnosed Mothers Navigating Breast Cancer Together: Open and Avoidant Communication and Psychosocial Outcomes.

For many diagnosed mothers and their daughters, breast cancer is a shared experience. However, they struggle to talk about cancer. This is particularly true when the daughter is in adolescence or young adulthood, as they tend to be more avoidant, which is associated with poorer biopsychosocial outcomes. When daughters are their mother's caregivers, daughters' burden and distress are heightened. Young adult caregiving daughters (YACDs) are the second most common family caregiver and encounter more distress and burden than other caregiver types. Yet, YACDs and their diagnosed mothers receive no guidance on how to talk about cancer. Thirty-nine mother/YACD pairs participated in an online survey to identify challenging topics and strategies for talking about cancer, and to explore associations between openness/avoidance and psychosocial outcomes. YACDs and mothers reported the same challenging topics (death, treatment-related issues, negative emotions, relational challenges, YACDs' disease risk) but differed on why they avoided the topic. YACDs and mothers identified the same helpful approaches to navigate conversations (openness, staying positive, third-party involvement, avoidance). Avoidance was correlated with more distress whereas openness was correlated with better psychosocial outcomes. These results provide a psychosocial map for a mother-YACD communication skills intervention, which is key to promoting healthy outcomes.

The Impact of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Benefit Requirements and Sanctions on Maternal Material Hardship, Mental Health, and Parental Aggravation.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families requirements can be stress-inducing, difficult for families to complete, and may be detrimental during early life. We assessed the impact of TANF requirements on primary caregiving mothers' experiences of material hardship, anxiety, depression, and parental aggravation in the first year of a child's life. Survey responses were selected from mothers in the Future of Families and Childhood Wellbeing Study, who received TANF in the first year of their child's life (N = 1085). Survey-weighted regression models showed associations between: presence of any requirements and increased material hardship, work requirements and increased material hardship, requirement to name the father of their child and increased depression, benefit cuts and increased parental aggravation, and benefit cuts and increased material hardship. Federal and state policies should revise requirement programs to increase program accessibility and support the mental health and financial stability of mothers applying for TANF to facilitate sustainable movement into employment.

Psychological capital, quality of life, and well-being in mother caregivers of individuals with down syndrome.

Caused by an error in cell division that produces an additional chromosome 21, Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common developmental disorders in the world. This study aims to analyze the relationship between psychological capital, quality of life and well-being of caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome (DS). The participants were 98 caregivers (mothers, M = 52.13, SD = 11.39) of individuals with Down syndrome. The instruments used were the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (measuring self-efficacy, resilience, optimism, and hope), Quality of Life Questionnaire (including social support, general satisfaction, physical/psychological health, absence of excessive workload/free time), and Psychological Wellbeing Scale, investigating the following dimensions: self-acceptance, positive relationships with others, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth. The mediation analysis showed that self-efficacy, hope, and resilience are positively associated to quality of life, and optimism is positively associated to well-being. The total effects of psychological capital on well-being are positive and significant and quality of life mediates the relationship between psychological capital and well-being. These results show that psychological capital is an important inner resource for caregivers of DS individuals and must be improved through support services, so that caregivers have a higher perception of the quality of life and implicitly of well-being.

Engelli Çocuğu Olan Annelerin Omuz Ağrısı, Üst Ekstremite Fonksiyonelliği ve Yaşam Kalitesinin İncelenmesi

Background/Objective: The shoulder area is important in functionality and is open to injuries due to its anatomical structure. In caregiver mothers, this area may have been exposed to a lot of stress, yet we know little about the caregiving mothers’ upper extremity status.The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of shoulder pain, upper extremity functionality and quality of life of mothers with disabled children. Methods: 79 mothers who had only physical (PD), only mental (MD) and both physical and mental (BD) disabled children were included in the study. The "Functional Independence Scale" (WeeFIM) was used to determine the level of independence of children with disabilities. The mothers were assessed with Mc Gill Short Form Scale for pain. Quick Arm, Shoulder, Hand Problems Questionnaire and Upper Extremity Functional Index were used for disability and functionality in the mothers, respectively. Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) scale was applied to assess the mothers' quality of life. Results: The level of independence in both physical and mental of disabled children was lower than other children for all subscales according to WeeFIM (p<0.05). Mothers’ pain, functionality, and disability of upper extremities were similar to all groups (p>0.05). There was no difference in the quality of life for mothers (p>0.05). Conclusion: Upper extremity functions and disability levels are similar as shoulder pain of mothers is similar according to disability type. We think that psychological factors may affect musculoskeletal problems related to physical loads such as pain, functionality and should be evaluated together.

Dose-Response Relationship Between Protective Family Informal Social Control and Chronic Child Neglect: Does Household Size Matter?

Larger households, involving more children, are theorized as potential risk factors for child maltreatment-resource dilution theory. But qualitative evidence shows that in collective societies, like Ghana, more adult family members may act against neglect, through protective informal social control, which helps to reduce the frequency of neglect. Family members intervention in neglect situations will be more consistent and sustained due to the sanctioned collective responsibility to care for children in the community. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that having more adult family members in the household, who have the will and agency to intervene, will predict less chronic neglect. A three-stage probability proportional to size cluster sample of Ghana was collected from 1,100 primary caregiving mothers. One mother was interviewed in each household, and responses were limited to one focal child. When sample was restricted to those with chronic neglect (neglect > 1), 596 mothers remained in the data. The children have experienced 11 times neglect in the past year, and lived in households with average size of 6 members. Chronic neglect was measured using the Conflict Tactics Scale. Dose-response protective informal social control by family members was measured using the newly developed context-based scale for measuring protective informal social control of child neglect (ISC_CM2). Results from the random effects regressions models showed a negative relationship between dose-response protective informal social control and chronic neglect, and the interaction with household size was negative and significant. Ghanaian families should be sensitized to take advantage of the communal living practices, extended family systems and compound housing structures, as traditional mechanisms to promote collectivity and interventions in observed acts of neglect to protect children. The evidence contradicts the resource dilution theory's conceptualization of large household as risks factors of neglect.

Preliminary Findings of Caregivers’ Burden among Parents of Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa: An Exploratory Study

Background: The multifactoriality of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and the specificity of the treatment that provides for the compliance of parents (caregivers) is consolidated in the scientific literature. Caregivers’ burden, in addition to negatively affecting parents’ Quality of Life (QoL), can act as a maintenance factor for the disorder itself. Aim: Within a much broader research project, this work focuses on a preliminary analysis of the presence and level of burden in couples of parents of adolescents with Eating Disorders (EDs) and related variables. Methods: At a clinic dedicated to EDs, three couples of parents (mean age = 47.50; SD = 2.73) of three female patients with AN (mean age = 16; SD = 1.78), prior to taking charge, which includes protocol, psychoeducation, and family psychotherapy meetings. Caregivers completed a questionnaire consisting of standardized screening tests for assessing psychological assets: (a) Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), (b) Family Strain Questionnaire—Short Form (FSQ-SF), (c) Resilience Scale (RS), and (d) semi-structured interview. Results: High levels of anxiety (18 ± 6.9), stress (13.33 ± 10.26), and depression (12 ± 6.9) are found in mother caregivers, while father caregivers are more resilient (57.33 ± 8.5). A high level of caregivers’ burden was associated with being unemployed (3.33 ± 2.51), being a mother (4.33 ± 1.52), and with a highly pathological patient to care for (3 ± 4.24). Conclusions: Evaluating family caregivers of ED patients for risk factors of burden allows them to offer care and reduce the perceived stress of care.

Relationships among caregiving, stress, and self-regulation in toddlers living in poverty

PurposeThe Developmental Psychobiological Model of Experiential Canalization (DPMEC) proposes that conditions of poverty-related adversity influence child self-regulation through parental caregiving, stress hormones, and the child's genetics. However, empirical findings investigating these relationships with prolonged stress hormones are mixed. Further, the relationships among conditions of adversity with prolonged stress hormones have seldom been investigated in toddlers living in poverty. Guided by the DPMEC, we examined the relationships among maternal caregiving, prolonged stress, and self-regulation in toddlers living in poverty in the United States, to include examining whether toddler prolonged stress mediated relations between maternal caregiving and child self-regulation. Design and methodsParticipants were mothers and toddlers (20 to 24 months of age) living in poverty, who provided hair samples to measure four months of average cortisol concentration to estimate prolonged stress. We used observational measures to examine maternal caregiving and indirect report to measure children's self-regulation. ResultsFindings did not support the role of toddler prolonged stress in mediating the relationship between maternal caregiving and toddler self-regulation. However, multiple linear regression models showed that higher levels of maternal emotionally supportive caregiving significantly predicted better toddler soothability (b = 0.90; p = .03; 95% CI [0.10, 1.69]; partial correlation = 0.26). ConclusionsThis study adds partial support for the DPMEC to represent associations between maternal caregiving and toddler self-regulation for mothers and toddlers experiencing poverty. Practice implicationsWhile these data come from an observational study, pediatric nurses may consider assessing maternal supportive caregiving upon reports of poor toddler soothability.

The three faces of eve: mothers’ lived experiences of caring for children with high-functioning autism during the school-leaving transition in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore the caregiving experiences of primary caregivers, mothers of children with high-functioning autism, during the transition of leaving school and sometimes starting work. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine caregiving mothers with high-functioning children with autism aged 16–27 years. Results revealed that caring for a high-functioning child with autism during their life transition includes three roles: social advocacy, caregiving life coach, and personal selfhood reexamination. Thus, a theoretical model of empowering these caregivers during the child’s school-to-work life transition can be established. With the empowerment strategies of strengthening multiple roles, findings allow practitioners and policymakers to reflect on the interventions supporting families in transitioning planning at different systematic levels, including the individual, the family, and the larger community.

Depression among underserved rural and urban caregivers of Latinas with breast cancer

ABSTRACT Among Latino/as, informal caregiving duties are often deemed a family responsibility. Understanding psychological outcomes tied to caregivers of Latina breast cancer survivors is important to identify the impacts of cancer. Secondary analysis of baseline data collected in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) from 230 Latina breast cancer survivor–caregiver dyads. Characteristics of caregivers residing in rural/underserved and urban areas were compared using t- or chi-square tests. General linear models were used to analyze depressive symptoms in relation to residence, survivor–caregiver relationship, acculturation, obligation, reciprocity, and comorbidities. Urban residence was significantly associated with higher levels of depression controlling for survivor–caregiver relationship acculturation, obligation, reciprocity, and comorbidities. Mother caregivers had significantly higher levels of depression than other caregivers. Depression among Latino/a caregiver’s providing care to an adult child is an important consideration as Latino/as are less likely to seek out/have access to mental health services than other groups.

Effect of COVID-19 quarantine on caregivers of Egyptian children with autistic spectrum disorder

The urgent requirement for adaptation of Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during COVID-19 pandemic has brought major problems to families and caregivers. Aim: To explore and observe the role of caregiver either mother or father or both regarding outcome behavior of children with ASD during the social isolation of COVID-19 outbreak period. Method: The web based questionnaire was applied on families of 110 children diagnosed with ASD. It took about 20 minutes to be filled by parents of affected children. These children was diagnosed in outpatient clinic of department of research on children with special needs according to criteria of DSM5.The survey was designed to study the effect of COVID-19 Quarantine on children with ASD and to record changes observed by their caregivers on their attitude and behavior during this period. Results showed a potential important psychological outcome impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to the role of main caregiver. In conclusion: In terms of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, clinicians should be aware of warning symptoms shown not just by risk groups, but also by all families, and we must all be prepared for post-pandemic monitoring of mental problems.

Parenting and child adjustment in families with primary caregiver fathers.

Although greater attention has been paid to fathers' involvement in caregiving in recent decades, there is limited understanding of families with primary caregiver fathers (PCFs), particularly in terms of parental psychological health and parenting quality. Findings are presented from a study of 41 PCF, 45 primary caregiver mother (PCM), and 41 dual-earner (DE) families in the U.K. with children aged 3-6 years. Standardized interviews and questionnaires on parental psychological well-being, parenting and child adjustment were completed by fathers, mothers, and teachers. No differences were found between family types on any of the measures. However, multilevel modeling showed that increased parental stress was associated with greater child difficulties irrespective of family type. Overall, the findings revealed that the PCFs were well-adjusted to their parenting role and showed no differences in quality of parenting to PCMs. The study findings challenge the assumption that women are more suited to primary caregiving than men. Policy implications for fathers and their families are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Postoperative sepsis in premature neonates requires careful attention to the antibiogram

One of the great successes in neonatology has been the steady improvement in survival for infants born with extreme prematurity. In this volume of The Journal, Vohr et al address how current medical and nonmedical NICU practices affect the neurodevelopmental outcomes of these infants. The authors highlight existing standards and best practices, but also point out that future progress demands collaborative work with all caregivers of mothers and their preterm infants.

Childhood Abuse and Caregiving for Perpetrating Parents: Impacts on Adult Child Well-Being

Combining the stress process model of caregiving and life course perspective, this study examined the long-term influences of childhood abuse on perpetrating parent-adult child relationships and adult child well-being in the context of caregiving. Using a sample of family caregivers from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (969 caregivers of mothers; 280 caregivers of fathers), we investigated whether contact frequency and emotional closeness with an abusive parent mediate the longitudinal effects of parental childhood abuse on adult child caregivers’ depressive symptoms and the moderating effects of self-acceptance and mastery on this mediational association. Key findings indicate that maternal childhood abuse may negatively affect emotional closeness between an adult child caregiver and perpetrating mother (b = -0.24, p < .001). This could lead the adult child caregiver to experience increased depressive symptoms (b = 0.02, p < .05). Although the mediation paths for the effect of maternal childhood abuse on depressive symptoms via emotional closeness with mothers did not differ by caregivers’ level of psychological resources, we found that psychological resources significantly moderated the association between maternal childhood abuse and depressive symptoms (b = -0.08, p < .05). Further research may explore this phenomenon in light of the heterogeneity of contemporary families. Practitioners working with adults with a history of parental childhood abuse who are caregiving for their perpetrator are encouraged to employ a trauma-informed approach to maximize the caregivers’ health and well-being.

Parental sensitivity and intrusiveness in gay-, lesbian-, and heterosexual-parent families with infants conceived using artificial reproductive techniques: Do parents’ gender and caregiver role matter?

The goal of our study was to examine whether differences in the sensitivity and intrusiveness of fathers and mothers from gay-, lesbian-, and heterosexual-parent families (57 French couples, 47 Dutch couples, and 31 British couples) with their first-born infants were explained by gender or caregiver role, while controlling for nesting within families, infant temperament, and twinship. We assessed the sensitivity and intrusiveness of 147 primary caregivers (45 fathers, 102 mothers) and 123 secondary caregivers (68 fathers and 55 mothers). All infants were conceived using assisted reproductive techniques and averaged 4 months of age. They were videotaped at home with both parents while engaged in play, feeding, and other childcare (bathing or changing) and these videotapes were coded for sensitivity and intrusiveness. Information about relative levels of caregiving, infant temperament, and twinship was collected via parent report questionnaires. Mixed linear models showed that sensitivity while playing, cleaning, and feeding were not predicted by parental gender, relative parental involvement, and the interaction between parental gender and parental caregiver role. Models for intrusiveness while playing and feeding showed similar results. However, intrusiveness during cleaning was predicted by parental gender and the interaction between parental gender and caregiver role. Post-hoc analyses showed that secondary caregiving fathers showed more intrusive behavior during cleaning (M = 1.51, SD = 0.09) than secondary caregiving mothers (M = 1.26, SD = 0.10). Our results also showed that contextual factors, such as having singletons or twins, infant temperament, and country of residence were related to parenting behavior. In sum, our findings do not support presumptions that mothers are more capable of providing better quality care than fathers, or that, at this early stage, primary caregiving parents are better attuned to their infants than those who are less involved.