Peer-reviewed article
How the Father-Child Relationship Shapes a Child’s Emotional and Behavioral Well-Being: Key Influencing Factors
Imad Asmar ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This study looked at how the relationship between fathers and their children relates to children's emotional and behavioral well-being in Palestine. It surveyed fathers of children aged 4 to 17 using two standard questionnaires, one on the father-child relationship and one on children's strengths and difficulties. The authors report that a close father-child relationship goes together with better emotional and behavioral well-being. Conflict in the relationship is linked with worse behavioral problems and emotional symptoms. The authors suggest studying the child's own perspective and running public awareness campaigns on the role of fathers.
Key points
- Cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study of a representative sample of fathers of children aged 4 to 17 in Palestine.
- Father-child relationship measured with the Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS); child well-being measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
- A close father-child relationship reflects better emotional and behavioral well-being in the child.
- Behavioral issues and emotional symptoms worsen when the father-child relationship is characterized by conflict.
- The authors recommend public awareness campaigns on the role of fathers and a future study from the child's perspective.
Limitations
The abstract describes a cross-sectional, non-experimental design using reports from fathers only, so it cannot show that the relationship causes changes in child well-being. It gives no numbers, sample size or details of the other influencing factors.
Abstract
Abstract Objectives Fathers provide emotional stability and security, which promotes normal mental development in children. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the father-child relationship on a child's behavioral and emotional well-being and its associated factors in Palestine. Methods This cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational, quantitative, non-experimental study involved a representative sample of fathers who had children aged between 4 and 17 years in Palestine. Data were collected using the Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS) to assess the strength of the father-child relationship and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to examine the child’s emotional and behavioral well-being. Results Since a close relationship between a father and a child reflects a child's emotional and behavioral well-being, the results suggest that a father-child relationship impacts a child's emotional and behavioral well-being. Behavioral issues and emotional symptoms worsen in a father-child relationship characterized by conflict. Conclusion It is feasible to undertake a study that discusses the impact of this relationship from the perspective of the child and launches public awareness campaigns that highlight the unique role of fathers, the value of their involvement, and its effects on their children’s safety and emotional and behavioral well-being.