A Mediation Model of Father Involvement

What is it about?

A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted with 2,029 fathers of nursery children aged 2–6. Structural equation model analyses showed that spousal capital was positively associated with fathering self-efficacy, fathers’ beliefs on paternal role and father involvement, and negatively associated with fathering stress. Father involvement was also positively related to fathering self-efficacy and fathers’ beliefs on paternal role, but had no significant relationship with fathering stress. The indirect effects of spousal capital on father involvement were significant via fathering self-efficacy and fathers’ beliefs on paternal role.

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Why is it important?

Father involvement is important in contributing to the children’s development, parents’ well-being and healthy family functioning. With reference to Belsky’s family ecological model of parenting, the present study aims to examine the relationship between ontogenic factors (fathering stress, fathering self-efficacy, fathers’ beliefs on paternal role), microsystemic factors (spousal capital that includes parenting alliance, spousal support, and marital satisfaction) and father involvement. The mediating role of ontogenic factors in the relationship between microsystemic factors and father involvement is also investigated.