Father’s involvement is critical in social-emotional development in early childhood: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Father involvement is increasingly recognized as critical in children’s early social-emotional development. However, the extent and nature of this association across different populations and contexts remain unclear. This meta-analysis aims to synthesize the evidence on the relationship between father involvement and children’s social-emotional competence in early childhood. Additionally, it seeks to identify potential sample and study characteristics that may moderate these relationships. The current study reviewed 65 studies published in English and Chinese after 2000, involving a total of 154,801 child participants (49.34 % male) and 127,081 fathers (mean age = 30.58 years). Study-related and sample-related characteristics were included in moderator analyses. The results revealed significant correlations between father involvement and young children’s social-emotional competence (weighted rs ranged from .10 to .22). Fathers’ positive engagement, as well as warmth and responsiveness, contributed significantly to young children’s concurrent and longitudinal social-emotional competence. The impacts of such contributions were stronger among older fathers, between fathers and daughters, in the Asian countries, and when fathers’ warmth and responsiveness were reported by mothers. This meta-analysis provides robust evidence that father involvement is significantly associated with young children’s social-emotional development, informing policies and interventions aimed at promoting father involvement in children’s lives.