Paternal, infant, and social contextual characteristics as determinants of competent parental functioning by fathers with young infants

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Lienne Edwards (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Carol E. MacKinnon

Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to examine factors considered salient to competent parental functioning by fathers with infants. Only recently has fathers' ability to be sensitive, competent parents for infants been recognized. The void remaining in our knowledge of competent parenting by fathers is an identification and understanding of factors associated with fathers' sensitive involvement with infants. The current study sought to explore the association of paternal, infant, and social contextual characteristics with fathers' behaviors during father-infant play. Sixty couples completed questionnaires when their infants were three months old. Fathers completed measures of locus of control, knowledge of infant development, beliefs of effective parenting practices, value of parenthood, infant temperament, spousal support, and participation in infant care activities. Mothers completed measures of infant temperament, paternal participation in infant care activities, and demographic information. When the infants were five to six months old, fathers were observed interacting with their infants in a free-play situation.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 1990
Subjects
Fathers $x Psychology
Fathers $x Social conditions
Father and child
Parenting $x Psychological aspects

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