The effects of parental sensitivity and involvement in caregiving on mother–infant and father–infant attachment in a Portuguese sample.

Abstract

In the present longitudinal study, we investigated attachment quality in Portuguese mother-infant and in father-infant dyads, and evaluated whether attachment quality was related to parental sensitivity during parent-infant social interaction or to the amount of time each parent spent with the infant during play and in routine caregiving activities (e.g., feeding, bathing, play). The sample consisted of 82 healthy full-term infants (30 girls, 53 boys, 48 first born), and their mothers and fathers from mostly middle-class households. To assess parental sensitivity, mothers and fathers were independently observed during free play interactions with their infants when infants were 9 and 15 months old. The videotaped interactions were scored by masked coders using the Crittenden's CARE-Index. When infants were 12 and 18 months old, mother-infant and father-infant dyads were videotaped during an adaptation of Ainsworth's Strange Situation. Parents also described their level of involvement in infant caregiving activities using a Portuguese version of the McBride and Mills Parent Responsibility Scale. Mothers were rated as being more sensitive than fathers during parent-infant free play at both 9 and 15 months. There also was a higher prevalence of secure attachment in mother-infant versus father-infant dyads at both 12 and 18 months. Attachment security was predicted by the amount of time mothers and fathers were involved in caregiving and play with the infant, and with parents' behavior during parent-infant free play.

Father’s involvement and parenting styles in Portuguese families. The role of education and working hours

“…In our study, fathers with higher education levels were the ones perceiving themselves as having a more Authoritative parenting style. And as in other studies (see Pleck, 2010) parent's education levels were associated with higher father involvement; other Portuguese samples found similar results (Fuertes et al, 2016;Torres et al, 2013). Higher levels of mother education were related with all dimensions of father involvement except in Teaching/Discipline activities where no association was found.…”

“…Authoritative fathers are more responsive to their child's needs, adopt an open communication and respect their child autonomy while enforcing rules when and if necessary, that might result in a more involved approach (Lamb & Lewis, 2010). We also tested for level education interaction since higher educational level has been associated with a more sensitive and insightful interpretation of the child signs (Fuertes et al, 2009), more time spend in caring and playing activities (Fuertes et al, 2016;Pederson, Gleason, Moran, & Bento, 1998), and more efficient response to child's requests (Silva, Del Prette, & Del Prette, 2002). On the other hand, less education level may be related to more controlling and interfering actions (Silva et al, 2002).…”

“…Several studies show that fathers are less involved in engagement activities than mothers (Craig, 2006;McBride & Mills, 1993). In Portuguese two-parent families, studies show that mothers are more involved in caregiving as well as in play, and seem to be more sensitive during interactions, when compared to fathers (e.g., Fuertes, Faria, Beeghly, & Lopes-dos-Santos, 2016). However, others studies have shown that, although less involved in childcare, and particularly in family management; fathers are just as active in play, teaching/discipline and outdoor leisure activities (e.g., Torres, Veríssimo, Monteiro, Ribeiro, & Santos, 2014;Torres, Veríssimo, Monteiro, & Santos, 2012).…”

Envolvimento paterno aos 12 meses de vida do bebê

“…Nos últimos anos, vários estudos têm investigado a paternidade no contexto da relação pai-bebê (Castoldi, Gonçalves, & Lopes, 2014;Fuertes, Faria, Breeghly, & Santos, 2015;Sary & Turnip, 2015). Resultados revelam que no primeiro ano de vida do bebê o pai 1 já pode ser considerado pelo filho como base segura tanto quanto a mãe (Frascarolo, 2004) e que o envolvimento do pai com o bebê é muito importante para o estabelecimento de um apego seguro (Brown, Mangelsdorf, & Neff, 2012;Fuertes et al, 2015).…”

“…Resultados revelam que no primeiro ano de vida do bebê o pai 1 já pode ser considerado pelo filho como base segura tanto quanto a mãe (Frascarolo, 2004) e que o envolvimento do pai com o bebê é muito importante para o estabelecimento de um apego seguro (Brown, Mangelsdorf, & Neff, 2012;Fuertes et al, 2015). Além disso, a participação paterna na vida do filho, sobretudo através de brincadeiras mais ativas, pode influenciar o desenvolvimento social e motor da criança (Manfroi, Macarini, & Vieira, 2011).…”