Variations in fathers' discourse on fatherhood and in family alliances during infancy

The aim of this pilot study is to analyse the discourse of fathers of toddlers concerning fatherhood and the link between some particularities in the discourse and family alliance. The sample consists of 13 Swiss first time fathers (5 fathers of girls and 8 of boys). In order to evaluate the paternal discourse, the fathers were given a semistructured interview, which was later analysed using the research package Alceste. The family alliance, i.e., the degree of coordination among the partners when executing a task together, was assessed through the Lausanne Trilogue Play (Fivaz-Depeursinge & Corboz-Warnery, 1999). The main results indicated an interesting link between classes of paternal discourse grouped around the following themes "affective relationship”, "daily routine” and "educational goals”, and the family alliance (defined in two major categories; functional and problematic alliances). Finally, clinical perspectives on links between paternal representations and family functioning at an interactive level are discusse

The Family Alliance Assessment Scales: Steps Toward Validity and Reliability of an Observational Assessment Tool for Early Family Interactions

We present the first steps in the validation of an observational tool for father-mother-infant interactions: the FAAS (Family Alliance Assessment Scales). Family-level variables are acknowledged as unique contributors to the understanding of the socio-affective development of the child, yet producing reliable assessments of family-level interactions poses a methodological challenge. There is, therefore, a clear need for a validated and clinically relevant tool. This validation study has been carried out on three samples: one non-referred sample, of families taking part in a study on the transition to parenthood (normative sample; n=30), one referred for medically assisted procreation (infertility sample; n=30) and one referred for a psychiatric condition in one parent (clinical sample; n=15). Results show that the FAAS scales have (1) good inter-rater reliability and (2) good validity, as assessed through known-group validity by comparing the three samples and through concurrent validity by checking family interactions against parents' self-reported marital satisfactio

The Family Alliance Model: A Way to Study and Characterize Early Family Interactions

The aim of this paper is to present the family alliance (FA) model, which is designed to conceptualize the relational dynamics in the early family. FA is defined as the coordination a family can reach when fulfilling a task, such as playing a game or having a meal. According to the model, being coordinated as a family depends on four interactive functions: participation (all members are included), organization (members assume differentiated roles), focalization (family shares a common theme of activity), affect sharing (there is empathy between members). The functions are operationalized through the spatiotemporal characteristics of non-verbal interactions: for example, distance between the partners, orientation of their bodies, congruence within body segments, signals of readiness to interact, joint attention, facial expressions. Several standardized observational situations have been designed to assess FA: The Lausanne Trilogue Play (with its different versions), in which mother, father, and baby interact in all possible configurations of a triad, and the PicNic Game for families with several children. Studies in samples of non-referred and referred families (for infant or parental psychopathology) have highlighted different types of FA: disorganized, conflicted, and cooperative. The type of FA in a given family is stable through the first years and is predictive of developmental outcomes in children, such as psychofunctional symptoms, understanding of complex emotions, and Theory of Mind development

Les incidences de l'engagement paternel quotidien sur les modalités d'interaction ludique père-enfant et mère-enfant

Is there a difference at the behavioral level in free play situation between the non- traditional fathers, who are involved in the care taking of their children (aged one year), and the traditional fathers, who are less or not at all involved ? Between these two groups of fathers, do we observe the same differences as between fathers and mothers ? And what about their wives ? Results indicate that there is no difference between the two groups of fathers. On the other hand, wives of non-traditional fathers are significantly less directive than wives of traditional fathers. The incidences of daily paternal involvement in caretaking should be studied at the level of the whole family system as well as each dyad it is composed of.En situation de jeu libre, au niveau comportemental (interaction parent-enfant et contenu du jeu), les nouveaux pères, qui participent activement aux soins quotidiens de leurs jeunes enfants d'un an, se distinguent-ils des pères traditionnels qui n'y participent guère ? Retrouve-t-on entre ces deux groupes de pères les différences généralement observées entre les pères et les mères ? Et qu 'en est-il de leurs épouses ? Rien ne discrimine les deux groupes de pères. Par contre, les épouses de nouveaux pères se sont révélées significaîivement moins directives que les épouses de pères traditionnels. Les incidences de l'engagement paternel quotidien auprès de son jeune enfant doivent donc être étudiées au niveau du système familial total et de chacune des dyades qui le composent.Frascarolo France. Les incidences de l'engagement paternel quotidien sur les modalités d'interaction ludique père-enfant et mère-enfant. In: Enfance, n°3, 1997. pp. 381-387

Gender-role orientation in parents: a factor contributing to prenatal coparental interactions in primiparous families

The coparental relationship is central for the development of the child and the well-being of parents. In Western societies, gender-role stereotypes are strongly associated with domestic and family work. To date, few data are available to assess the links between identification with gender roles and coparenting interactions. In this study, primiparous parents (N = 50) were seen in the laboratory at the fifth month of pregnancy. Parents were asked to play with their baby at the first meeting by using a doll in accordance with the procedure of the prenatal Lausanne Trilogue Play. Parents' identification with gender roles, marital satisfaction, and the history of the couple were assessed through self-reported questionnaires. Results showed that (a) feminine traits are most represented in mothers and feminine and androgynous traits are most represented in fathers and (b) being feminine in fathers is linked with better prenatal coparental interactions

Le développement des interactions triadiques mère-père-enfant = The development of mother-father-child triadic interactions

Cet article présente un état des lieux des recherches menées selon le paradigme de « l'alliance familiale » sur le développement des interactions triadiques mère-père-enfant lors de la transition à la parentalité. Ces recherches ont montré tout d'abord que la qualité des interactions triadiques tend à être stable au cours des deux premières années de vie de l'enfant, et qu'elle peut être anticipée durant la grossesse par l'observation d'interactions dans une simulation de jeu triadique. Ensuite, elles ont montré qu'une altération de ces interactions a une influence sur le développement de l'enfant qui se manifeste tout au long des cinq premières années, tant au niveau affectif que cognitif (par exemple : la capacité d'attention triangulaire lors des premiers mois, ou le développement de la théorie de l'esprit et les difficultés de comportements à cinq ans). Cette influence s'exerce en plus de celle d'autres variables comme la relation d'attachement mère-enfant, ou la personnalité de l'enfant lui-même évaluée selon son tempérament. La triade constitue donc un contexte de développement en soi qui doit être pris en compte dans la prise en charge et l'intervention auprès de jeunes enfants.This paper presents the main results of researches on the development of mother-father-child triadic interactions during the transition to parenthood, according to the « family alliance » model. First, these researches have shown that the quality of triadic interactions tends to be stable through the first two years, and that it can be predicted during pregnancy by observation of a simulated triadic play. Then, they have shown that disturbances in triadic interactions have an impact on several affective and cognitive developmental outcomes for the child throughout the first five years (for example, the triangular attention capacity during the first months, or the development of theory of mind and externalized behaviors at age five). This impact is specific, and triadic interactions exert an influence on the development of the child over and above other variables like the mother-child attachment relationship, or the personality of the child assessed in terms of temperament. The triad constitutes then a context of development per se which has to be taken into account when working clinically with young children