Father influences on child social adaptability: Mediation by peer communication ability

Abstract

We examined the relationship between fathers’ parenting attitudes and children’s social adaptability, as well as the mediating effect of children’s peer communication ability in that relationship. The participants were 228 young Chinese children (boys =54.3%, girls=45.7%; mean age =5 years, SD = 0.08 years) and their fathers (n = 228; mean age = 32.73 years, SD = 4.77 years). The data model showed that the father’s parenting attitudes are associated with children’s peer communication and social adaptability. Children’s peer communication ability played a mediating role in the relationship between fathers’ parenting attitudes and children’s social adaptability. Male children and younger aged fathers were associated with high child social adaptability and children’s peer communication ability. The results suggest that fathers’ positive parenting attitudes (emotional warmth and understanding or interference protection) can improve children’s peer communication and social adaptability, whereas their negative parenting attitudes (punishment or refusal to deny) can hinder these abilities. For children’s mental health well-being, fathers should establish positive parenting attitudes to improve their children’s social adaptability and the quality of their peer relationships.