The measurement of paternal involvement as a multidimensional construct has evolved with current societal trends of fathering and corresponding advanced theories. As a result, research must keep pace by continuing to examine predictors of the dynamic ways that fathers are involved with their children, particularly with infants. The current study built upon Belsky’s theoretical model of determinants of parenting to posit that paternal involvement with their infants (dependent variable) will be influenced by a combination of father, child, and contextual factors (independent variables). A total of 456 participants were recruited within the United States. Paternal involvement was categorized into five subfactors from the Paternal Involvement with their Infants Scale (PIWIS). Five separate linear regressions were conducted using each of the PIWIS subscale domains as the dependent variable. Results provide support for examining paternal involvement with a multidimensional approach. Characteristics of the child, and psychosocial and relational and contextual variables of the father were uniquely related to the five domains of involvement measured by the PIWIS. Clinical and programmatic implications as well as future directions for research are discussed.

No abstract

The current project aimed to develop and validate the Hope for Parenting Scale (HFPS), a five-item self-report instrument that addresses hopeful thinking of parents. In Sample 1, 413 fathers of infants completed the HFPS. In Sample 2, 290 mothers and fathers of children age 0-18 completed the HFPS. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted using Sample 1 and the single factor solution suggested by EFA item loadings was examined using confirmatory factor analysis with Sample 2. Convergent validity was established via significant correlations to criterion measures of trait hope and paternal involvement with infants. Discriminant validity was established through significant correlations to a measure of depression, anxiety, and stress. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

The present study was designed to examine the psychometric properties and correlates of an existing measure of father involvement with infants, The Paternal Involvement with Infants scale (PIWIS), with Latino fathers. Background: Fathers' involvement with their infants is associated with positive outcomes for family members. Father involvement is known to vary by child, familial, societal, and cultural factors, emphasizing the need for further research with specific populations of fathers, including Latino fathers. Method: Addressing this need, we examined the psychometric properties of a multidimensional measurement of father involvement with infants, the Paternal Involvement with Infants Scale (PIWIS), with 203 Latino fathers of infants up to 12 months of age. Results: Results support a five-factor model validating the PIWIS as a measurement of father involvement with Latino fathers of infants. Findings revealed moderate to strong construct

No abstract