Impact of Father Parenting Styles and Father’s Perception about Spouse on Childhood Outcomes

Abstract

Objectives: Association between father and father's spouse parenting dimensions and externalizing behavior in children was examined in the present study. It was hypothesized that father, and his spouse parenting styles and dimension as perceived by father, would predict externalizing behavior problem in children.

Place of the Study: Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi Pakistan, from March 2013 to Aug 2014.

Research Design: Correlational study

Sample and Method: Sample of 75 father and 75 children was collected from different areas of Karachi through purposive sampling strategy. The age range of the children in the sample was 5-12 years. Along with socio demographics, Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ Short Version; Robinson, Mandleco, Olsen, & Hart, 2001) and Devereux Scales of Mental Disorder (Naglieri, LeBuffe, Pfeiffer,1994) were administered.

Results: Multiple regression analysis (backward selection method) and Pearson correlation were used to test hypotheses. Permissive father parenting was significantly correlated with externalizing problems i.e. conduct, and attention problem. However, authoritative and authoritarian parenting (father and father's spouse both) were not associated with externalizing behavioral problems. As far as father perception about spouse permissive parenting is concerned it is significantly correlated with one aspect of externalizing (conduct) problem. Moreover, Regression analysis of dimensions reveals that father connection dimension and physical coercion are significant predictors of conduct. Verbal hostility dimension has inverse relation with attention problem and conduct, either father or father spouse is concerned. Father spouse permissive style is highly influential in developing conduct, and non-reasoning / punitive is significant predictor of externalizing problems.