Examining longitudinal influences of prenatal marital quality on children’s ADHD symptomatology through fathers’ parenting quality

• In Event: Fathering and Father-Child Relationships

Abstract

This study examined prenatal marital influences on fathers’ parenting and, subsequently, children’s development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Children from emotionally disengaged families develop attention problems (Hazen et al., 2011) and classroom engagement difficulties (Sturge-Apple et al., 2010) in middle childhood. Furthermore, children exposed to maternal hostility in infancy develop behavioral problems in toddlerhood (Barnett et al., 2010) and ADHD symptoms in middle childhood (Jacobvitz et al., 2004). Moreover, maternal intrusive parenting with infants forecasts children’s later ADHD symptoms (Carlson et al., 1995). Most studies examining parenting antecedents of childhood behavior problems focus on maternal parenting and family interactions. However, it is imperative to consider fathers’ ineffective parenting, given its greater susceptibility to interparental conflict (i.e., Father Vulnerability Hypothesis, Cummings et al., 2004) and its greater effect on children’s adjustment, compared to mothers’ ineffective parenting (Loeber & Stouthamer-Loeber, 1986). Therefore, this study is among the first to longitudinally examine the role of prenatal marital hostility and emotional disengagement on children’s later ADHD symptoms, through fathers’ hostile and disengaged parenting in infancy and toddlerhood.

125 couples, mostly white and middle SES, were recruited from birthing classes when they expected their first child. Prenatal couple interactions were rated for hostility and emotional disengagement using the Couple Interaction Observational Coding System (Jacobvitz, 2004). Hostile and emotionally disengaged father-child interactions at 8 and 24 months were rated utilizing the Toddler Caregiving Scales (Hazen, 1997). At 7 years, teachers rated children’s behavior problems using the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach, 1991).

Structural equation modeling was used to examine two models—involving hostility and emotional disengagement. The first model (see Figure 1) indicated significant direct paths from a) prenatal marital hostility to father-child hostility at 8 months (β=.38, p <.000), b) father-child hostility at 8 months to father-child hostility at 24 months (β=.46, p<.000), and c) the interaction between father-child hostility at 8 months and at 24 months to children’s ADHD symptoms at age 7 (β=.43, p=.001). The second model (see Figure 2) indicated significant direct paths from a) prenatal marital disengagement to father-child disengagement at 8 months (β=-.22, p=.016); b) father-child disengagement at 8 months to father-child disengagement at 24 months (β=.23, p=.022), and c) father-child disengagement at 24 months to children’s ADHD symptoms at age 7 (β=.38, p=.001). Results demonstrated that fathers’ parenting is continuous, and parenting quality in infancy and toddlerhood predicts ADHD symptomatology.

The current study addresses limitations from previous studies by: 1) examining two different ineffective parenting behaviors in fathers; 2) assessing prenatal marital influences on fathers’ parenting, independent of child characteristics; and 3) analyzing the continuity and change of fathers’ parenting. This longitudinal design demonstrated the role of prenatal marital quality as a driving force of parenting behaviors and children’s development of ADHD symptoms. These findings are noteworthy, given the high proportion of children with ADHD symptoms that experience emotional, behavioral, and peer relationship difficulties in school. Further, identifying prenatal marital qualities that forecast ineffective parenting and children’s poor adjustment outcomes has implications for developing effective family preventive interventions.

Authors

• Gabriela Aquino, University of Texas at Austin
  Presenting Author

• Ashleigh Iris Aviles, New York University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Ziyu Tian, University of Texas at Austin
  Non-Presenting Author

• Nancy Lynn Hazen, University of Texas at Austin
  Non-Presenting Author

• Deborah B Jacobvitz, University of Texas at Austin
  Non-Presenting Author