BMJ paediatrics open
Fathers matter: evidence on the role of father involvement for early development of rural Chinese sons and daughters
By Zheng S, Nagels L, Shen Y and 6 others.
Abstract
Background
Caregiver involvement in cognitively stimulating play is critical for children’s early development. Nevertheless, the role of fathers remains underexplored, particularly in low- and middle-income regions. This study examines the role of father involvement for developmental outcomes of sons and daughters under age 3 in rural Chinese households.
Methods
In July 2024, we surveyed a randomly selected sample of 6–24 months old and their caregivers (n=592) in an east coast province in China. Children’s cognition, language and motor development was measured using the Third Edition of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III). Father and primary caregiver involvement was assessed with the play activities scale, family care indicators. Given that most fathers (96.1%) in the study sample are non-primary caregivers, while mothers (72.0%) and grandmothers (22.8%) hold most primary caregiving roles, the study focuses on non-primary caregiving fathers. Multivariate linear regression models were used to assess relationships of Bayley-III scores with father and primary caregiver involvement.