What relates to paternal feelings and competencies? A structural equation model

Abstract

In the present study, we integrated cross-sectional findings on the relation of early paternal feelings and competencies against the background of a theoretical model on determinants of parenting in a sample of 104 socially disadvantaged first-time parents at 6 months postpartum. Participants reported about mental health characteristics, partnership satisfaction, parental self-efficacy, and attachment feelings. Results indicate a reasonable fit of the proposed model, with interrelations between maternal mental health, paternal partnership satisfaction, and mental health. Furthermore, fathers’ partnership satisfaction positively correlates with paternal feelings and competencies.

Our results underline the role of fathers’ partnership satisfaction and mental health for his parenting competencies at 6 months postpartum. The study represents a useful starting point for future longitudinal research on fathering and the unique father–infant relation of fathers within the first year postpartum.

Keywords:

• father–infant relation
• parental self-efficacy
• transition to parenthood
• structural equation modeling

Acknowledgement

The authors thank Dr Annette M. Klein for her helpful comments.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth [grant number IIA6-25080820V6]. The State Ministry for Social Affairs and Consumer Protection Saxony, the TUI Foundation, the Dürr Foundation, and the Reimann-Dubbers Foundation gave grants for the complete project.