Role of Father Involvement and Co-parenting Relationship Quality in Social Emotional Behaviors of Children and Adolescents

Abstract

The current study aims to examine the relationship between father involvement, co-parenting relationship quality, and social-emotional behaviors of children in a collectivistic, patriarchal societal context of Pakistan. This cross-sectional survey used a purposive sampling strategy to collect data from fathers of children and adolescents ages 4-17, using Inventory of father involvement (IFI), co-parenting relationship scale (CRS) and strength and difficulty questionnaire (SDQ). Findings showed that co-parenting relationship quality had significant positive relationship between pro-social behaviors of children, and a negative correlation with externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Father involvement and child externalizing and internalizing behavior were negatively correlated, and father involvement had a significant positive relationship with the pro-social behaviors of children. Results from t-test analysis showed gender differences in social-emotional behaviors of children, girls showed more prosocial behaviors than boys, and boys showed more externalizing behaviors than girls. ANOVA on the difference of social-emotional behaviors of children with their birth order showed that externalizing behaviors of the last born (M = 8.00, SD = 3.53) were significantly higher than the firstborn (M = 5.94, SD = 2.81). Results of regression analysis showed that coparenting relationship quality, gender of the child, and birth order of the child significantly predicted externalizing, internalizing, and pro-social behaviors of children. Moreover, child gender was used as a moderator in the relationship between co-parenting relationship quality and social-emotional behaviors to study indirect links. However, results indicated that the gender of the child does not moderate the relationship. Results of moderated mediational analysis showed that, co-parenting relationship quality does not mediate the relationship (B= .014, p= .74) between father involvement and child pro-social behavior, but working hours of

father do moderate the relationship (B= .014, p= .02). In conclusion, it can be stated that positive co-parenting relationship and flexibility in the work hours of fathers influences paternal involvement can promote healthy social-emotional development of children and improve family system in Pakistan.