The role of paternal mind‐mindedness in preschoolers' self‐regulated conduct. Issue 3 (17th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gagné, Christine; Bernier, Annie; McMahon, Catherine A.
• Is Part Of: Infant and child development. Volume 27:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-01-17
• Subjects: inhibitory control -- paternal mind‐mindedness -- rule‐compatible conduct -- self‐regulated conduct; Child development -- Periodicals; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Parenting -- Periodicals; Child rearing -- Periodicals; 155.405
• DOI: 10.1002/icd.2081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1522-7227

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined the prospective links between paternal mind‐mindedness (MM) and 2 indices of preschoolers' self‐regulated conduct, namely, inhibitory control and rule‐compatible conduct. Ninety‐two families (47 boys) participated in 2 assessments. Paternal MM was assessed with a 10‐min father–child free‐play session when children were aged 18 months. Children's rule‐compatible conduct was reported by mothers when children reached 3 years of age, and inhibitory control was measured with a Snack Delay task, also administered at 3 years. The results suggested that after accounting for the contribution of child temperament (social fearfulness), paternal MM was positively related to children's inhibitory control. In contrast, the relation between paternal MM and mother‐reported rule‐compatible conduct was not significant. The results are interpreted in light of the mechanisms that may account for the links between paternal MM and preschoolers' emerging capacity to voluntarily control their behaviour. Highlights: This study examines the prospective links between paternal mind-mindedness and two indices of preschoolers' subsequent self‐regulated conduct. Paternal mind‐mindedness was assessed with father‐child free‐play, and self‐regulated conduct with an inhibitory control task and a mother questionnaire. The results suggest that paternal mind‐mindedness is positively related to children's inhibitory control.