Meta-analytic Studies of the Relations Between Paternal Sensitivity and Children’s Cognitive and Socioemotional Outcomes

• In Event: Poster Session 08
  In Poster Session: PS 08 Topic - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

Sensitive parenting involves reading the subtle affective and cognitive cues of children and in turn, responding in a sensitive and/or stimulating manner (Ainsworth et al., 1974; Landry & Smith, 2011). Sensitive parenting has been identified as particularly valuable for promoting the developmental progression of both cognitive and socioemotional functioning (Britto et al., 2017; Madigan et al., 2019). Although the early conceptualization of parental sensitivity referenced fathers as primary caregivers (Bowlby, 1973), most sensitivity assessment measures were initially developed, and validated using mother-child dyads, as mothers have historically spent more time involved in caregiving compared to fathers (Cabrera et al., 2018). Data from Western, industrialized countries reveal that there has been a three to six-fold increase in father involvement in caregiving since the 1970’s (Bakermans‐Kranenburg et al., 2019; Craig & Mullan, 2010). In the domain of sensitivity, studies have found that like mothers, sensitive fathers display attunement and appropriately respond to children’s needs (Mesman & Emmen, 2013; Mills-Koonce et al., 2015). In contrast to mothers, however, observational studies suggest that sensitive fathers focus more on stimulating and exploratory play interactions (Lucassen et al., 2011; Mills-Koonce et al., 2015). These findings highlight the importance of investigating the role of father sensitivity, taking into account both attunement and stimulation, in children’s development. The aim of the current study was to conduct a series of meta-analyses that examined the associations between paternal sensitivity and children’s cognitive and socioemotional functioning in the preschool and middle childhood period. Paternal sensitivity was significantly associated with children’s broad cognitive functioning (N = 23; r =.19), but not broad socioemotional functioning (N = 24; r =-.03). When examining specific outcomes, the significant pooled effect sizes for language (N = 9; r =.21), cognitive ability (N = 9; r =.18), executive function (N = 8; r =.19), emotion regulation (N = 7; r =.22), and externalizing problems (N = 19; r =-.08) were small to moderate in magnitude. There was no significant association between paternal sensitivity and children’s internalizing problems. In several meta-analyses, child age was a significant moderator, wherein effects were stronger among older samples of children. Findings from the current study suggest that the father-child subsystem within the family unit is an important correlate of children’s cognitive development and some aspects of emotional and behavioral regulation. Understanding the antecedents to individual differences in children’s competencies across various developmental domains is critical for informing the policy and practice guidelines that aim to lay the foundation for healthy developmental trajectories. Sensitive paternal parenting is one antecedent to which we need to pay attention, given the modifiability of the risk (Lawrence et al., 2013). Therefore, building fathers’ sensitivity may be an important focus for promoting children’s well-being.

Authors

• Michelle Rodrigues, University of Toronto
  Presenting Author

• Nina Sokolovic, University of Toronto
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sheri Madigan, University of Calgary (U of C)
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jennifer Jenkins, University of Toronto
  Non-Presenting Author