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Published on: September 19, 2019
Same Behaviors, Different Outcomes: Mothers' and Fathers' Observed Challenging Behaviors Measured Using a New Coding
Eric L Olofson1, Sarah J Schoppe-Sullivan2
1Psychology Department, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN 47933, USA.
Insights
Fathers
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Parenting Studies
- Child Social-Emotional Development
Background:
- Parenting quality is crucial for child development.
- Existing measures may not fully capture nuanced parenting behaviors.
- Understanding parent-child interactions in early childhood is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate the Risky Interaction Support and Challenge Scale (RISCS) for measuring parenting behaviors.
- To examine the associations between specific parenting behaviors and 1-year-olds' social-emotional development.
- To explore potential gender differences in parenting behaviors and their impact.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of the novel Risky Interaction Support and Challenge Scale (RISCS).
- Observation of 1-year-olds interacting with parents (fathers and mothers) on a play structure.
- Reliable coding of parental behaviors related to challenge, support, and autonomy allowance.
Main Results:
- The RISCS effectively measured various dimensions of parent behavior during parent-child interactions.
- Fathers' autonomy allowance and lower overprotection were linked to reduced internalizing behaviors in toddlers.
- Mothers' challenge of regulatory competence correlated with lower externalizing behaviors and higher competence in toddlers.
Conclusions:
- Parenting behaviors, measured by RISCS, show distinct associations with different aspects of child social-emotional development.
- Fathering and mothering styles appear to uniquely influence specific developmental outcomes.
- Findings contribute to attachment theory and the understanding of father-child relationships.
Abstract:
This study used a newly developed coding system for measuring the quality of parenting behavior to examine associations with children's social-emotional development. The Risky Interaction Support and Challenge Scale (RISCS) measures the extent to which parents engage in behaviors that present physical and regulatory challenges to children, as well as parents' tendency to allow children to pursue action goals autonomously. These behaviors were observed while parents (n = 57 fathers; n = 55 mothers; n = 50 pairs) interacted with their 1-year-olds who played on a structure that included a slide, a small climbing wall, and a tunnel. Trained raters reliably used the RISCS to measure several dimensions of parent behaviors related to children's exploration, and all but one of the dimensions captured adequate variability in parent behavior. Although mothers and fathers did not differ in any of the dimensions, the associations between parent behavior and children's social-emotional development did not overlap. Fathers who engaged in greater autonomy allowance and lower overprotection had toddlers with lower levels of internalizing behavior, whereas mothers who challenged children's regulatory competence had toddlers with lower levels of externalizing behavior and greater competence. We discuss the implications of the findings for the literature on attachment theory and father-child relationships.
Related Concept Videos
Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...
Relationship with Parents: Attachment
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings
Conduct Disorder
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development

