Examining the Reciprocal Relationship between Fathers’ Perceived Parenting Competence and Coparenting across Early Childhood

Anne Klode; Hanne Nørr Fentz; Tea Trillingsgaard

Examining the Reciprocal Relationship between Fathers’ Perceived Parenting Competence and Coparenting across Early Childhood

Anne Klode, Hanne Nørr Fentz^*, Tea Trillingsgaard

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

Fathers’ subjective evaluation of their parenting competences is regarded as essential to motivation and engagement in the parental role. Self-efficacy theory suggests that perceived competence in a specific area, such as parenting, is shaped by feedback from significant others, such as the coparent. This study examines the relationship between fathers' perceived parenting competence and coparenting quality (support and undermining) across early childhood. Using data from 1,223 first-time fathers at child ages 10 months, 19 months, and 4 years, the research applies Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models (RI-CLPM) to account for stability across individuals. Results revealed minimal within-father cross-lagged effects, with one exception: perceived competence at 10 months predicted increased coparenting support at 19 months. Contrary to expectations, fathers' perceived competence remained stable over time and was less influenced by coparenting dynamics than hypothesized. This study contributes methodologically by utilizing RI-CLPM, providing clearer distinctions between-person and within-person variance in parenting competence.

Original language	Danish
Journal	Journal of Family Issues
ISSN	0192-513X
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 2025

Cite this

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title = "Examining the Reciprocal Relationship between Fathers{\textquoteright} Perceived Parenting Competence and Coparenting across Early Childhood",

abstract = "Fathers{\textquoteright} subjective evaluation of their parenting competences is regarded as essential to motivation and engagement in the parental role. Self-efficacy theory suggests that perceived competence in a specific area, such as parenting, is shaped by feedback from significant others, such as the coparent. This study examines the relationship between fathers' perceived parenting competence and coparenting quality (support and undermining) across early childhood. Using data from 1,223 first-time fathers at child ages 10 months, 19 months, and 4 years, the research applies Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models (RI-CLPM) to account for stability across individuals. Results revealed minimal within-father cross-lagged effects, with one exception: perceived competence at 10 months predicted increased coparenting support at 19 months. Contrary to expectations, fathers' perceived competence remained stable over time and was less influenced by coparenting dynamics than hypothesized. This study contributes methodologically by utilizing RI-CLPM, providing clearer distinctions between-person and within-person variance in parenting competence.",

keywords = "Fathers, perceived parenting competence, parenting efficacy, coparenting, transition to parenthood, random-intercept cross-lagged panel model",

author = "Anne Klode and Fentz, {Hanne N{\o}rr} and Tea Trillingsgaard",

year = "2025",

language = "Dansk",

journal = "Journal of Family Issues",

issn = "0192-513X",

publisher = "SAGE Publications Inc.",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Examining the Reciprocal Relationship between Fathers’ Perceived Parenting Competence and Coparenting across Early Childhood

AU - Klode, Anne

AU - Fentz, Hanne Nørr

AU - Trillingsgaard, Tea

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Fathers’ subjective evaluation of their parenting competences is regarded as essential to motivation and engagement in the parental role. Self-efficacy theory suggests that perceived competence in a specific area, such as parenting, is shaped by feedback from significant others, such as the coparent. This study examines the relationship between fathers' perceived parenting competence and coparenting quality (support and undermining) across early childhood. Using data from 1,223 first-time fathers at child ages 10 months, 19 months, and 4 years, the research applies Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models (RI-CLPM) to account for stability across individuals. Results revealed minimal within-father cross-lagged effects, with one exception: perceived competence at 10 months predicted increased coparenting support at 19 months. Contrary to expectations, fathers' perceived competence remained stable over time and was less influenced by coparenting dynamics than hypothesized. This study contributes methodologically by utilizing RI-CLPM, providing clearer distinctions between-person and within-person variance in parenting competence.

AB - Fathers’ subjective evaluation of their parenting competences is regarded as essential to motivation and engagement in the parental role. Self-efficacy theory suggests that perceived competence in a specific area, such as parenting, is shaped by feedback from significant others, such as the coparent. This study examines the relationship between fathers' perceived parenting competence and coparenting quality (support and undermining) across early childhood. Using data from 1,223 first-time fathers at child ages 10 months, 19 months, and 4 years, the research applies Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models (RI-CLPM) to account for stability across individuals. Results revealed minimal within-father cross-lagged effects, with one exception: perceived competence at 10 months predicted increased coparenting support at 19 months. Contrary to expectations, fathers' perceived competence remained stable over time and was less influenced by coparenting dynamics than hypothesized. This study contributes methodologically by utilizing RI-CLPM, providing clearer distinctions between-person and within-person variance in parenting competence.

KW - Fathers, perceived parenting competence, parenting efficacy, coparenting, transition to parenthood, random-intercept cross-lagged panel model

M3 - Tidsskriftartikel

SN - 0192-513X

JO - Journal of Family Issues

JF - Journal of Family Issues

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