Paternal influences from early pregnancy to postpartum years on child development: A longitudinal study

Development of the Paternal Involvement in Early Infancy Scale (PEACE) for fathers in Singapore

OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate a psychometrically sound self-reported Paternal involvement in Early InfAnCy ScalE (PEACE) for Asian fathers with infants aged 0-12 months old.

METHODS

This study comprised of three phases: (1) Pilot test among 100 fathers, (2) Exploring and confirming the PEACE's multidimensional structure using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n = 200 fathers) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (n = 200 fathers), and (3) Assessing one-month test-retest reliability of PEACE among 30 fathers. Data was collected from August 2022 to August 2023. The EFA was conducted using principal axis factoring and varimax rotation. The CFA confirmed the factor structure via goodness-of-fit statistics. To assess the PEACE's concurrent validity, paternal involvement was measured using a previously validated paternal involvement scale. Convergent validity was established by examining correlations between PEACE and theoretically related measures of parenting self-efficacy, parent-child bonding, parenting satisfaction, and depression. Test-retest reliability was examined using the intra-class correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

The EFA and CFA results supported the five-factor 25-item PEACE. The five subscales were: i) Providing Tangible Support, ii) Meeting Basic Needs, iii) Bonding with Baby, iv) Decision-Making for Baby, and v) Sense of Responsibility and Accomplishment. All subscales reported good internal consistency and weak to moderate one-month test-retest reliability. Correlation coefficients between the PEACE and other scales supported the concurrent and convergent validity of the PEACE.

CONCLUSION

This study provided sufficient evidence to establish the initial reliability and validity of the five-factor 25-item PEACE.

IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE

The PEACE could be used to quantitatively assess paternal involvement in infant care.

Culturally adapting relational savoring: A therapeutic approach to improve relationship quality

Relational savoring (RS) is a brief, strengths-based approach to heightening attentional focus to moments of positive connectedness within relationships. RS can be administered preventatively or within an intervention context when a therapist aspires to foster more optimal relational functioning. Typically administered within a one-on-one therapy setting, RS has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing intra- and interpersonal outcomes. To increase access to mental health services, the developers of RS are committed to engaging in an iterative approach of enhancing the cultural congruence and accessibility of this intervention within various cultural contexts, beginning with Latine groups in Southern California. In this article, we describe relational savoring and its theoretical and empirical support, including the process of culturally adapting the intervention within the context of three major studies, each with a distinct focus on Latine groups, a community that is underserved in mental health care settings. We then provide a vision for future research to improve upon the intervention's compatibility for Latine families and other populations.

Translation and Testing the Reliability and Validity of a Japanese Version of the Paternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (PAAS-J)

Background and Purpose: This study aimed to translate and validate a Japanese version of the Paternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (PAAS-J). Methods: The PAAS-J was translated through a pilot study and a survey of fathers with pregnant partners. Results: The survey involved 189 fathers. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed, but the model fit was poor. Therefore, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed. Based on the results of the EFA, three items with low interitem correlations and factor loadings were deleted, and a 13-item scale consisting of 2 domains was created. Coefficient alpha was .80. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the retest method was .80, confirming its reliability. Conclusions: The PAAS-J was found to be reliable and valid.

Paternal involvement in infant care and developmental milestone outcomes at age 3 years: the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS)

BACKGROUND

In developed countries, the time fathers spend on childcare has increased steadily in recent decades. However, studies on the relationship between paternal care and child outcomes remain scarce. Thus, we examined the association between paternal involvement in childcare and children's developmental outcomes.

METHODS

We used Japan's largest birth cohort data, the Japan Environment and Children's Study, to examine the relationship between paternal involvement in childcare at the child's age of 6 months and developmental milestone outcomes at the child's age of 3 years (n = 28,050). Developmental delays were assessed with Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Potential mediation by maternal parenting stress at the child's age of 1.5 years was also examined. We used log-binomial regression analyses to estimate risk ratios.

RESULTS

Fathers' high involvement in childcare was associated with a lower risk of developmental delay in gross-motor, fine-motor, problem solving, and personal-social domains compared with low involvement, adjusting for potential confounders. For example, the risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals was 0.76 [0.67, 0.86] for the gross-motor domain. We also observed that the associations were partially mediated by maternal parenting stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Fathers' active involvement in childcare during infancy may promote young children's development, partially by reducing maternal parenting stress.

IMPACT

Using Japan's largest birth cohort data (Japan Environment and Children's Study), we showed that paternal involvement in infant care might benefit young children's development. Fathers' active involvement in infant care was associated with a lower risk of developmental delays in gross-motor, fine-motor, problem solving, and personal-social domains. Maternal parenting stress may mediate the association between paternal involvement in infant care and child development outcomes at 3 years.

Associations between parental and postnatal metal mixture exposure and developmental delays in a Taiwanese longitudinal birth cohort of preschool children

Studies have evaluated the impact of environmental exposure to neurotoxic metals on developmental delays (DDs). However, comprehensive understanding regarding the associations between parental and postnatal exposure to metal mixtures and the occurrence of DDs in offspring is limited. In this study, we assessed the relationships between parental and postnatal exposure to three metals (arsenic [As], cadmium [Cd], and lead [Pb], levels of which were measured in toenails) and suspected DDs (SDDs) in preschool children within a Taiwanese longitudinal birth cohort. In total between 2017 and 2021, 154 pairs of parents and their children under the age of 6 years were recruited, and 462 toenail samples and 154 completed questionnaires were collected. Metal concentrations in toenails were quantified using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after acid digestion of the toenails. We applied multivariable logistic regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression to evaluate the overall effect and to identify key components of the metal mixture that were associated with the SDD risk. Higher concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb were found in the toenails of the parents of children with SDDs compared with the toenails of the parents of children without SDDs. Our examination of the combined effects of exposure to the metal mixture revealed that As concentration in the father's toenail and Cd concentration in the mother's toenail were positively correlated with the risk of SDDs in their offspring. Notably, the effect of exposure to the metal mixture on the risk of SDDs was stronger in boys than in girls. Our findings suggest that parents taking measures to minimize their exposure to metals might enhance their children's developmental outcomes.

Sex-differences in the effects of indoor air pollutants and household environment on preschool child cognitive development

Air pollution, outdoor residential environment, indoor household characteristics, and parental mental health are potential factors associated with child development. However, few studies have simultaneously analyzed the association between the aforementioned factors and preschool child (aged 2-5 years) development. This study investigated the effects of those factors on child development and their potential modifying effects. A total of 142 participants were recruited from a birth cohort study in the Greater Taipei Area, and the evaluation was conducted at each participant's home from 2017 to 2020. Child cognitive development was assessed by psychologists using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development and the Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence. Household air pollutants, outdoor residential environment, indoor household characteristics, parental mental health, and other covariates were evaluated. Multiple regressions were used to examine the relationships between child development and covariates. Stratified analysis by child sex and parental mental health was conducted. Average indoor air pollutant levels were below Taiwan's Indoor Air Quality Standards. After adjustment for covariates, the indoor total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) level was significantly associated with poor child development (per interquartile range increase in the TVOC level was associated with a 5.1 percentile decrease in child cognitive development). Sex difference was observed for the association between TVOC exposure and child development. Living near schools, burning incense at home, purchasing new furniture, and parental anxiety were related to child development. Indoor TVOC level was associated with poor child cognitive development, specifically with the girls. Indoor and outdoor residential environment and parental anxiety interfered with child development. TVOCs should be used cautiously at home to minimize child exposure. A low-pollution living environment should be provided to ensure children's healthy development.

Frequent occurrence of respiratory symptoms in children is associated with exposure to air pollution, land use types, and parental mental health in the Greater Taipei area

Although studies have investigated the individual effects of air pollution, land use types, and parental mental health on children's respiratory health, few studies have examined the effects of these risk factors simultaneously in children aged <2 years. We investigated the effects of exposure to air pollution, land use types surrounding residences, and parental mental health on the frequent occurrence of respiratory symptoms in children aged <2 years in the Greater Taipei area. Participants were recruited from an ongoing Taiwanese birth cohort study. We analyzed the data of the participants who had been recruited from January 2011 to April 2014 and had responded to the follow-up questionnaires at 6, 12, and 24 months. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect participants' sociodemographic background and health, such as respiratory symptoms, and parental mental health. Pre- and postnatal pollution levels were estimated using the spatial interpolation technique (ordinary kriging) at children's residential addresses. Land use types surrounding participants' homes were evaluated by performing buffer analysis. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the effects of risk factors on the frequent occurrence of child respiratory symptoms in children aged 6, 12, and 24 months. We included 228, 360, and 441 children aged 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Our results indicated that postnatal exposure to PM_2.5 and O₃ was positively associated with children's respiratory symptoms. Traffic-related land-use types, sports facilities, and commercial land surrounding homes exerted adverse effects on children's respiratory symptoms, whereas the presence of schools in the neighborhood was beneficial. Parental mental health was also associated with children's respiratory symptoms. Postnatal exposure to air pollution and land use types surrounding residences were associated with respiratory health in children aged <2 years. The residential environment is a critical factor affecting children's respiratory health of children aged <2 years.

Prenatal intervention program for Japanese first-time fathers to adapt to the paternal role: a mixed methods study

This study aimed to develop a prenatal intervention program focused on the formation of paternal identity for adapting to paternal role. The intervention program allowed participants to create a postpartum schedule using a uniquely developed paternity portfolio. Pre and post-intervention effects were evaluated using a convergent design of mixed methods. This intervention effect was quantitatively evaluated between the two groups. To qualitatively examine the intervention's effects, participants were interviewed for effective prenatal education, and their paternal role behaviors were identified by the intervention. Details of actual postpartum paternal role behavior and effective prenatal education were collected. Obtained data were inductively analyzed and compared with those in the proposed prenatal intervention program. There were 10 pairs in the intervention group and 31 pairs in the control group. Intergroup comparison of evaluation data showed no significant difference. However, qualitative results clarified the effective nursing intervention, confirming the achievement of intervention goals by all participants. Intervention expressions were adjusted based on the results, and a revised prenatal intervention program was developed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.