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Dinzinger A, Ismair S, Brisch KH, Sperl W, Deneault AA, Nolte T, Hitzl W, Priewasser B. Mentalizing in first-time fathers: reflective functioning as a mediator between attachment representation and sensitivity. Attach Hum Dev 2023; 25:544-565. [PMID: 37815537 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2023.2258354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Sensitivity in parent-child interaction is essential for child development. Since fathers are increasingly involved in childrearing, identifying factors leading to paternal sensitivity is crucial. We examined the relation between attachment representation and reflective functioning (RF) as factors influencing paternal sensitivity in a longitudinal study including N = 40 first-time fathers (Mage = 33) and their 6-month-old children. We used the Adult Attachment Interview during pregnancy to assess paternal attachment representation and general RF, the Parental Development Interview to assess fathers' parental RF, and the Emotional Availability Scale to measure sensitivity at child's age of 6 month. Data show that secure paternal attachment representation, high general and parental RF are associated with higher levels of paternal sensitivity. Further, parental RF mediates the association between attachment representation and paternal sensitivity. These findings contribute to the identification of a causal interplay in that they suggest an explanatory effect of RF on the association between fathers' attachment representation, and sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Dinzinger
- Institute for Early Life Care, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Selina Ismair
- Institute for Early Life Care, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Karl Heinz Brisch
- Institute for Early Life Care, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfang Sperl
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Tobias Nolte
- Research Department for Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, UK
| | - Wolfgang Hitzl
- Research and Innovation Management, Biostatistics, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Beate Priewasser
- Institute for Early Life Care, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
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Francis LM, Youssef GJ, Greenwood CJ, Enticott PG, Curtis A, Graeme LG, Mansour KA, Olsson CA, Skouteris H, Milgrom J, Williams J, Knight T, Macdonald JA. Father trait anger: Associations with father–infant bonding and subsequent parenting stress. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1114084. [PMID: 36968729 PMCID: PMC10036745 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1114084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionParent anger presents a risk to family safety and child development. Father trait anger may also compromise the early relational context of fathers and offspring, yet evidence is lacking. The aim of this study is to examine effects of father trait anger on parenting stress in the toddler years, and the mediational role of father–infant bonding.MethodData were from 177 Australian fathers of 205 children. Trait anger (total, angry temperament, and angry reaction), father–infant bonding subscales (patience and tolerance, affection and pride, and pleasure in interaction), and subsequent parenting stress (parental distress, difficult child, and parent–child dysfunctional interaction) were assessed. At each of the subscale levels, mediational path models examined whether father–infant bonding explained the relationship between trait anger and parenting stress. Models were presented where there was at least a small association between the mediator and both the predictor and outcome.ResultsPatience and tolerance was the only domain of father–infant bonding correlated with both trait anger and all parenting stress outcomes. Patience and tolerance partially mediated the effect of total trait anger on parental distress and fully mediated effects on difficult child and parent–child dysfunctional interaction. Patience and tolerance fully mediated relationships between angry temperament and all domains of parenting stress. Angry reactions only had a direct effect on parental distress.DiscussionFather trait anger both directly and indirectly (through patience and tolerance in the father–infant bond) impacts their experiences of parenting stress in the toddler years. Early interventions to manage father trait anger and improve father–infant bonding may benefit fathers and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M. Francis
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Lauren M. Francis,
| | - George J. Youssef
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher J. Greenwood
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter G. Enticott
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashlee Curtis
- Centre for Drug Use, Addictive and Anti-social Behaviour Research, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Liam G. Graeme
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Kayla A. Mansour
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Craig A. Olsson
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Helen Skouteris
- Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Warwick Business School, Warwick University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Jeannette Milgrom
- Parent-Infant Research Institute, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joanne Williams
- Department of Health Sciences and Biostatistics, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
- School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University Faculty of Health, Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Tess Knight
- Cairnmillar Institute, Hawthorn East, VIC, Australia
| | - Jacqui A. Macdonald
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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