Perceptions of fatherhood: Longitudinal reciprocal associations within the couple.

Abstract

This longitudinal study examines reciprocal associations between maternal perceptions of paternal involvement and paternal perceptions of themselves as a father and of their relationship with the mother over the first 18 months after the birth of a first child, that is, during the transition to parenthood. Both members of intact heterosexual couples (n ϭ 183) completed self-report questionnaires when their first child was two, five, and 18 months of age. Each assessment period included measures of fathers' perceptions of the importance of their parental identity, their parental self-efficacy, and their marital satisfaction, as well as mothers' perceptions of the quality and quantity of paternal involvement in child care. Results of cross-lag path analyses indicate that fathers' greater parental self-efficacy at two months predicts mothers' perceptions of greater paternal involvement at five months. Conversely, mothers' perceptions of greater paternal involvement at two months predict greater parental self-efficacy and marital satisfaction in fathers at five months. This study highlights the importance of the first few months after the birth of a child for perceptions of fatherhood within the couple. Results suggest that when couples become parents, new mothers and fathers mutually influence their respective perceptions relative to fatherhood.

Identificação dos efeitos dos filhos nas relações familiares

“…This phenomenon is corroborated by the idea that the couple's perceptions are mutually influenced. (12) Economic issues, work overload and lack of sleep and the responsibility of roles were ranked as the main concerns, corroborating the results of a study conducted in Portugal. This study found that financial difficulties and the challenges of juggling professional life with the family needs, especially those of the children, are at the heart of deciding whether or not to have children.…”

“…The value obtained was 0.82, which allowed to conduct factor analysis. According to the author's recommendations, first the value of items whose response were negative was inverted, i.e., items 4,6,7,8,9,10,12,16,17,18,19,21,22, 24 and 26.…”

Percepção de Competência Parental: Exploração de domínio geral de competência e domínios específicos de auto-eficácia, numa amostra de pais e mães portuguesas

“…Com base na sua revisão, Coleman e Karreker (1997) referem ainda que a percepção de autoeficácia é baixa, e se encontra associada a diferentes variáveis parentais, tais como, indisponibilidade psicológica, comportamentos defensivos ou de controlo, afecto negativo, stress, e uma elevada sensibilidade e evitamento face a situações em que as crianças expressam comportamentos difíceis. Por outro lado, e relativamente ao pais, alguns estudos encontraram uma associação positiva entre a percepção de autoeficácia paterna e o envolvimento nos cuidados à criança (Jacobs & Kelley, 2006;Juntilla et al, 2007;Tremblay & Pierce, 2011), bem como a satisfação e autoestima dos pais (Meunier & Roskam, 2009). …”

Father’s involvement and parenting styles in Portuguese families. The role of education and working hours

“…Although initial studies have focused mainly on the presence/absence of fathers and how much time they spent with their children, while this data is fundamental, it is critical to also capture the quality of these interactions and involvement (Brown, McBride, Shin, & Bost, 2007;Coyl-Shepherd, & Newland, 2013;Tremblay & Pierce, 2011). Father involvement should, therefore, be understood as a complex and multidimensional construct, that comprises behaviors, emotions and cognitions (Hawkins & Palkovitz, 1999), and different contexts of interaction (e.g., care or play) (Parke, 1996).…”