Relations Between Fathers’ and Mothers’ Infant Engagement Patterns in Dual-Earner Families and Toddler Competence

Abstract

This study examined the trajectories of time new fathers and mothers in dual-earner families ( N = 178) reported spending in developmentally appropriate positive engagement activities over the first 9 months of their child’s life on both work and nonworkdays. We also explored how paternal and maternal engagement patterns in infancy were associated with children’s later social-emotional competence during toddlerhood ( M = 25 months). Using latent growth models, we found that compared with mothers, fathers spent significantly less time engaging with their infants; however, both parents increased their engagement over time at relatively the same rate. Fathers’ rate of increase over time and mothers’ initial starting point of engagement on nonworkdays were associated with toddlers’ attention and mastery motivation. Findings are discussed with regard to what they mean for dual-earner couples and fathers’ investment in their offspring, highlighting what they may imply about the second demographic transition and family functioning.