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. 2014 Jun;35(8):1107-1127.
doi: 10.1177/0192513X14522243.

Relations between Fathers' and Mothers' Infant Engagement Patterns in Dual-Earner Families and Toddler Competence

Sarah N Lang  1 , Sarah J Schoppe-Sullivan  1 , Letitia E Kotila  1 , Xin Feng  1 , Claire M Kamp Dush  1 , Susan C Johnson  2
Affiliations

Relations between Fathers' and Mothers' Infant Engagement Patterns in Dual-Earner Families and Toddler Competence

Sarah N Lang et al. J Fam Issues. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

This study examined the trajectories of time new fathers and mothers in dual-earner families (N = 178) reported spending in developmentally appropriate positive engagement activities over the first 9 months of their child's life on both work and non-workdays. We also explored how paternal and maternal engagement patterns in infancy were associated with children's later social-emotional competence during toddlerhood (M = 25 months). Utilizing latent growth models, we found that, compared with mothers, fathers spent significantly less time engaging with their infants; however, both parents increased their engagement over time at relatively the same rate. Fathers' rate of increase over time and mothers' initial starting point of engagement on non-workdays were associated with toddlers' attention and mastery motivation. Findings are discussed with regards to what they mean for dual-earner couples and fathers' investment in their offspring, highlighting what they may imply about the second demographic transition and family functioning.

Keywords: Dual-Earner families; Father Engagement; Social-Emotional Competence; Time Diaries; Transition to Parenthood.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Trajectories of mothers’ and fathers’ positive engagement with infants
Figure 2
Figure 2
Growth curve models of parents’ trajectories of engagement and child competence. *p < .05. **p < .01; solid lines depict significant paths and dotted lines depict nonsignificant paths.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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