Children's socioemotional skills and fathers' work satisfaction: Mediation of fathers' parenting
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Gong, Q., Ju, S., & Kramer, K. Z. (2024). Children's socioemotional skills and fathers' work satisfaction: Mediation of fathers' parenting. Family Relations, 73(4), 2582-2601. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.13012
Abstract Created by REACH:
This study was guided by spillover theory and the transactional model, which suggest that work and family contexts influence each other (as do parents and children). The bidirectional relationship between young children’s socioemotional skills and their fathers’ work satisfaction over time was examined among 3,955 civilian families. Aspects of fathers’ parenting were also identified as potential factors that explain the connection. Children’s socioemotional skills were observer-rated at 2-3 years old and mother-reported at 4-5 years. Fathers self-reported their work satisfaction, parental involvement (i.e., literacy, caregiving, play), parental responsibility (e.g., staying home with an ill child), parenting stress, and parenting self-efficacy when their children were 2-3 years old and again at 4-5 years. Overall, children’s socioemotional skills and fathers’ work satisfaction affected each other over time; fathers’ parenting stress and self-efficacy emerged as important factors that partially explain the connection.
Focus:
Mental health
Children
Parents
Other
Subject Affiliation:
Civilian
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Preschool age (2 -5 yrs)
Methodology:
Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Gong, Qiujie, Ju, Sehyun, Kramer, Karen Z.
Abstract:
Objective In this study, we examined the bidirectional association between fathers' work satisfaction and children's socioemotional skills from T1 (age 2) to T2 (age 4–5) and the mediating role of fathers' parenting. Background For many parents, balancing family and work roles can be challenging, particularly for fathers who are now expected to be both “ideal workers” and “involved fathers.” With multiple roles, fathers' experiences at work and in the family may have a mutual influence on each other. Method This study used structural equation modeling on secondary data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort, to examine the associations and mediation mechanisms. Results Results indicate a positive association between fathers' work satisfaction at T1 and children's socioemotional skills at T2 through fathers' higher self-efficacy and lower parenting stress. Additionally, there was a positive association between children's socioemotional skills at T1 and fathers' work satisfaction at T2 through fathers' higher responsibility and lower parenting stress. Conclusion Findings provide support for the spillover theory regarding the mutual influence of fathers' work-related experiences and children's development. Implications To help parents balance the demands of work and family, effective parenting education programs and supportive or person-centered workplace policies are both essential.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
fathers' work satisfaction, socioemotional development, spillover theory, transactional model
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
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