A meta‐analysis on observed paternal and maternal sensitivity. Issue 6 (29th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deneault, Audrey‐Ann; Cabrera, Natasha J.; Bureau, Jean‐François
• Is Part Of: Child development. Volume 93:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 1631
• Page End: 1648
• Publication Date: 2022-07-29
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child Development -- Periodicals; Child Development; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pedicatrics; 305.231
• DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13832
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-3920

Abstract

Abstract: Two meta‐analyses were conducted ( N = 10, 980 child–father dyads) with 93 studies published between 1983–2020, primarily in North America and Europe, on observed parental sensitivity to children (3–180 months; 48% girls; 14% non‐White) in partnered mothers and fathers. The first meta‐analysis found higher maternal mean levels of observed sensitivity, with a small effect size ( d = −.27). Differences between parents were larger with micro coding and triadic/family assessments. Differences narrowed as a function of publication year and were not significant in European samples. The second meta‐analysis identified a moderate correlation between observed maternal and paternal sensitivity ( r = .23 after adjusting for probable publication bias). Correlations were larger in Middle Eastern samples and with composite sensitivity scales.