Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

15 p.

Publication Date

2004

Publisher

Taylor & Francis (Routledge)

Source Publication

The Journal of Genetic Psychology

Source ISSN

0022-1325

Abstract

In this study, the authors examined the parenting practices, developmental expectations, and stress levels of 136 fathers and the challenging and prosocial behaviors of their 1- to 5-year-old children. In addition, the authors systematically addressed fathers' qualitative concerns about their parenting. The authors divided the participants into 4 groups and controlled for family socioeconomic status (SES) and the focus child's gender. Results showed a significantly higher use of corporal and verbal punishment and parenting stress among lower income fathers. Secondary analyses demonstrated a significant effect of paternal disciplinary practices that emphasized the frequent use of corporal and verbal punishment on child behavior problems, regardless of SES level. On a positive note, fathers from both lower and higher SES groups had reasonable developmental expectations for their boys and girls, and they reported similar frequencies of their children's prosocial behavior. The authors discuss the need for early parent education programs that include fathers and that teach specific strategies to address child behavior problems.

Comments

Accepted version. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, Vol. 165, No. 2 (June 2004): 169-183. DOI. © 2004 Taylor & Francis (Heldref Publishers). Used with permission.

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