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04-06-2021 | Original Paper

Influence of Father Involvement, Fathering Practices and Father-Child Relationships on Children in Mainland China

Auteurs: Yang Liu, Cassandra K. Dittman, Mingchun Guo, Alina Morawska, Divna Haslam

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies | Uitgave 8/2021

Abstract

Although Chinese cultural beliefs highlight the significant role of fathers in educating and disciplining their children, little empirical research has explored the role of Chinese fathers more broadly on child adjustment. This study used survey methodology to examine the effect of father involvement, fathering practices, and father-child relationships on child adjustment in Mainland China. Participants were 609 mother-father dyads with at least one child aged 3 to 7 years in preschool. Fathers reported on their involvement and relationships with their children and fathering practices, and mothers reported on child adjustment. Results indicated that paternal inconsistency, coercive parenting, and father-child relationships were significant predictors of behavioral and emotional problems in children. Father involvement, positive encouragement, and father-child relationships were significantly associated with child competencies (positive child behaviors). Additionally, paternal inconsistency and father-child relationships moderated the relationship between father involvement and child behavioral and emotional problems. At low levels of paternal inconsistency, higher father involvement was related to lower behavioral and emotional problems in children; yet, at high levels of paternal inconsistency, higher father involvement was associated with higher behavioral and emotional problems. When father-child relationships were poor, higher father involvement was also related to more behavioral and emotional problems. The findings highlight the importance of considering both the quantity and quality of fathering in child development. When combined with poor fathering practices, increased father involvement may not be beneficial and could potentially be harmful for child adjustment.

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volgende artikel A Multilevel Approach to Understanding the Determinants of Maternal Harsh Parenting: the Importance of Maternal Age and Perceived Partner Support

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Titel: Influence of Father Involvement, Fathering Practices and Father-Child Relationships on Children in Mainland China
Auteurs: Yang Liu
Cassandra K. Dittman
Mingchun Guo
Alina Morawska
Divna Haslam
Publicatiedatum: 04-06-2021
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies / Uitgave 8/2021
Print ISSN: 1062-1024
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2843
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-01986-4

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