The impact of paternal positivity on child mental health 

From an article by Emerging Minds

Both mothers and fathers play a key role in the health and development of their children. While mothers are still disproportionately responsible for childcare and household labour, fathers are now more involved in the daily care of children than in previous decades (see blog; Parents now spend twice as much time with their children as 50 years ago).

Understanding which fathering practices can improve child mental health is important for promoting child wellbeing and effective parenting. Below are the  findings of research that examined the impact of paternal positivity on child mental health.

Child–parent relationships can contain ‘negative’ and ‘positive’ elements. Parental negativity can include caregiving attitudes and behaviours such as disapproval and hostility. Parental positivity can include caregiving attitudes and behaviours, such as:

• warmth
• affection
• nurture
• encouragement
• involvement
• closeness; and
• praise.

Research found that children (aged 0–17 years) whose fathers showed more paternal positivity were less likely to have mental health challenges. This finding was consistent across many studies and for both internalising (e.g. depression, anxiety) and externalising (e.g. problem behaviours, hyperactivity) mental health challenges.

The association between paternal positivity and child mental health was shown to be stronger in certain populations or circumstances. Families from low socioeconomic communities showed a stronger association between paternal positivity and reduced internalising and externalising behaviours compared to families from higher socioeconomic communities.

Researchers suggest that the strength of the association may be weaker for children in families with higher income levels because these families may be able to afford other means to support their children’s mental health, which may protect these children from experiencing mental health challenges.

Studies that had a higher proportion of girls in the sample showed a stronger association between paternal positivity and reduced externalising behaviour. Researchers suggest that fathers may be more likely to use paternal positivity with girls.

Children in middle childhood and adolescence had a stronger association between paternal positivity and reduced externalising behaviours compared to preschool children. Researchers suggest that older children may benefit more from paternal positivity as they have experienced it for longer than younger children. Fathers may also spend more time with their children in middle childhood and adolescence.

How might paternal positivity impact child mental health?

There is no one clear explanation why paternal positivity may be associated with child mental health. Researchers suggest that possible explanations may include:

• Children of fathers who show more positive emotion and behaviour may learn to mirror these emotions and behaviours themselves, subsequently benefiting the child’s mental health.
• Fathers who respond positively to their children and their children’s challenges may in turn help their children to learn healthy coping skills and emotional regulation, which are important for promoting mental health.
• Father’s positivity may help to foster strong and healthy relationships with their children, which has long term benefits for the health and wellbeing of the child.

Can we raise awareness with fathers about how positive caregiving behaviours can benefit their children? And encourage them to engage in positive behaviours by focusing on what they are already doing well and encourage the use of more positive behaviours and emotions in their caregiving?

Read the full article here.