Father Involvement with Children with Developmental Delays

Children with developmental delays (DD) pose unique caregiving challenges, given their developmental problems and risks for behavior problems (Baker, McIntyre, Blacher, Crnic, Edelbrock, & Low, 2003). Most of the studies involving caregivers of children with DD have highlighted the role of mothers, with very few studies focusing specifically on fathers. Studies on father involvement in home and school settings provide a theoretical rationale for increasing father involvement to support positive outcomes in children with DD. Synthesizing research on father involvement can further contribute to and shape legislation that ensures equitable access to education for young children with disabilities (i.e., the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This paper summarizes findings from a systematic literature review of father involvement across home and school settings in families of preschool-aged children with or at risk for DD

Father Involvement with Children with Developmental Delays

Children with developmental delays (DD) pose unique caregiving challenges, given their developmental problems and risks for behavior problems (Baker, McIntyre, Blacher, Crnic, Edelbrock, & Low, 2003). Most of the studies involving caregivers of children with DD have highlighted the role of mothers, with very few studies focusing specifically on fathers. Studies on father involvement in home and school settings provide a theoretical rationale for increasing father involvement to support positive outcomes in children with DD. Synthesizing research on father involvement can further contribute to and shape legislation that ensures equitable access to education for young children with disabilities (i.e., the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This paper summarizes findings from a systematic literature review of father involvement across home and school settings in families of preschool-aged children with or at risk for DD

Coparenting Quality and Child Behavior in Families of Children Previously Identified with a Developmental Delay

Young children with developmental delay (DD) are at risk for developing poor mental health and behavioral outcomes compared to their typically developing peers (Baker, McIntyre, Blacher, Crnic, Edelbrock, & Low, 2003). Parents of children with developmental delay (DD) are less likely to use positive parenting strategies (e.g., positive reinforcement), indicating that DD status may serve as a risk factor for the use effective parenting practices (Ellingsen, Baker, Blacher, & Crnic, 2014). Little research has examined the degree to which parents work together in their childrearing endeavors in this population of families (Floyd, Harter, & Costigan, 1998). The current study aimed to further explore the relations between coparenting quality and child problem behaviors, as measured by parent report and direct observation. Both primary caregiver and alternate caregivers’ reports of difficulty with coparenting problems predicted child problem behaviors. For primary caregivers, parenting self-efficacy mediated the relation between coparenting quality and problem behaviors. Primary caregivers’ reports of coparenting quality were significantly associated with observed undermining behavior. Observed undermining behavior significantly positively predicted child appropriate behavior across specific tasks, and observed partner support behavior significantly negatively predicted child appropriate behavior across specific tasks. Discussion focuses on the clinical significance of these findings and future research directions