Référence
Zhu, J., Deneault, A.-A., Seal, H., Madigan, S., & Bureau, J.-F. (2024). A meta-analysis of the association between parental relationship quality and fathers’ sensitivity. Attachment & Human Development.
Résumé
Background
Fathers remain neglected in attachment research, despite paternal sensitivity being important for children’s development. Past research suggested that fathers’ parenting may be influenced by contextual factors, including relationship functioning between parents.
Objective
This meta-analysis examined the association between paternal sensitivity and parental relationship functioning, and compared the magnitude of associations to those of maternal sensitivity.
Method
A search conducted across five databases up to February 2023 yielded 44 studies and N = 4,616 fathers (mean father age: 31.7 years; mean child age: 19.1 months). All studies included an observational measure of paternal sensitivity and a measure of parental relationship functioning.
Results
Paternal sensitivity was positively associated with the quality of the co-parenting relationship (r = .13, 95% CI [.01, .25]) and parental romantic relationship (r = .09, 95% CI [.03, .15]).. Associations were similar for mothers and fathers.
Conclusion
This study contributes to our understanding of factors that enhance paternal sensitivity.
Implications
The results of this research may inform family-wide intervention and prevention efforts to support child well-being.
