A new study suggested dads who stress out about parenting could
negatively effect their toddler's development.
The study involved 730 families and concluded that families in
which the fathers experienced high levels of stress over parenting had sons
with lower language skills at 3 years old than other families. Both girls and
boys tended to score lower on cognitive tests, which involve skills such as
learning, reasoning, and paying attention.
This study's findings add to a growing body of research
explaining how fathers influence the development of their children. Most
studies regarding kids' well being focus primarily on the mothers' influence,
rather than the fathers'. More recent studies have begun looking into the
influence of both parents or that of the father.
This study found that dads involved in their child's upbringing
affect their preschoolers' emotional development and language skills, in
addition to older children's risk for depression and behavioral problems.
Gender roles are shifting as times change. There are more
fathers sharing responsibility for raising kids, as well as more fathers acting
as stay-at-home parents. The study focused on lower-income couples in the
United States, with a focus on their parenting related stress in particular.
Participating families filled out a standard questionnaire for researchers to
assess stress levels. They had to agree or disagree with statements such as
"Sometimes I feel my child doesn't like me" or "I feel
trapped…"
The study overall concluded the fathers' level of parenting
stress influenced cognitive development and language development in young
children. In addition, the study concluded kids more often had behavioral
problems throughout their childhoods if the father experienced depression
symptoms or was chronically stressed.
The researchers noted that the fathers' influenced seemed
independent of the mothers; in other words, the fathers were not stressed
because their wives were stressed.
The study established an association, not a cause-and-effect
relationship, but nonetheless either parents' stress could influence a child's
development. For example, if a parent's mind is racing, frantic, or busy, they
may be less responsive to cues from their child, including words and behavior.
This study supports growing research on the importance of
fathers in children's behavioral and cognitive development. In general, fathers
can provide unique encouragement. For example, fathers are generally more
likely to encourage young children to take risks, explore, and be clearer with
their words.
This study underlines the importance of a father's wellbeing to
the development of their child. As with many care-giving situations, it is very
important to care for yourself in order to better care for your family.