Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
07:56

Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure

Published on: September 19, 2019

The development of relational competence among young high-risk fathers across the transition to parenthood

Le Ngu1, Paul Florsheim

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Utah, UT, USA.

Family Process
|May 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Young, high-risk fathers

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Family Studies
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Young fathers, particularly those identified as high-risk, face significant challenges in paternal functioning.
  • Paternal functioning is influenced by various relational factors, including the partner's relational competence.
  • Family systems theory suggests interconnectedness between partners' relational skills and parenting outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine relationship factors associated with paternal functioning in young, high-risk fathers.
  • To emphasize the role of a young mother's relational competence on her partner's paternal functioning.
  • To test hypotheses regarding the impact of pre-childbirth relational competence and partner's competence on fathering.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study following 60 high-risk fathers and their partners for 2 years post-childbirth.
  • Relational competence assessed via interview data using the Relational Competence Index before and after childbirth.
  • Paternal functioning measured using a composite score of self-reported and observed parenting behaviors.

Main Results:

  • High-risk fathers with relationally competent partners demonstrated higher relational competence scores over time.
  • Increased relational competence in fathers was significantly associated with more positive paternal functioning.
  • Partner's relational competence positively influenced the father's relational competence development.

Conclusions:

  • A partner's relational competence is a key factor supporting positive paternal functioning in young, high-risk fathers.
  • Interventions aimed at enhancing relational competence in either partner may improve fathering outcomes.
  • Family-centered approaches are crucial for supporting vulnerable fathering dyads.

More Related Videos

Using a Comparative Species Approach to Investigate the Neurobiology of Paternal Responses07:59

Using a Comparative Species Approach to Investigate the Neurobiology of Paternal Responses

Published on: September 19, 2011

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings01:29

Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings

Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or inconsistent. For...
Close Relationships and Culture01:29

Close Relationships and Culture

Culture shapes how people approach attraction, choose partners, and build long-term relationships. While some preferences in mate selection appear consistent across cultures, such as men valuing physical attractiveness and women emphasizing financial resources, cultural contexts influence how these preferences are expressed and prioritized. Marriage extends beyond romantic ideals in many societies and is deeply embedded in social, economic, and religious frameworks.The Role of Culture in Mate...
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity01:23

Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity

Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood03:34

Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood

Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships.