The role of fathers in child development from preconception to postnatal influences: Opportunities for the National Institutes of Health Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program

A growing body of literature highlights the important role of paternal health and socioemotional characteristics in child development, from preconception through adolescence. Much of this research addresses the indirect effects of fathers, for instance, their influence on maternal behaviors during t...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental psychobiology 2024-02, Vol.66 (2), p.e22451-n/a
Main Authors: Jansen, Elena, Marceau, Kristine, Sellers, Ruth, Chen, Tong, Garfield, Craig F., Leve, Leslie D., Neiderhiser, Jenae M., Spotts, Erica L., Roary, Mary
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Child
Child Development
Emotions
father
Fathers - psychology
Female
Humans
Male
neurodevelopment
obesity
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
positive health
postnatal
preconception
Pregnancy
prenatal
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A growing body of literature highlights the important role of paternal health and socioemotional characteristics in child development, from preconception through adolescence. Much of this research addresses the indirect effects of fathers, for instance, their influence on maternal behaviors during the prenatal period or via the relationship with their partner. However, emerging evidence also recognizes the direct role of paternal health and behavior for child health and adjustment across development. This critical review presents evidence of biological and sociocultural influences of fathers on preconception, prenatal, and postnatal contributions to child development. The National Institutes of Health Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program incorporates in its central conceptualization the impact of fathers on family and child outcomes. This critical synthesis of the literature focuses on three specific child outcomes in the ECHO program: health outcomes (e.g., obesity), neurodevelopmental outcomes (e.g., emotional, behavioral, psychopathological development), and positive health. We highlight the unique insights gained from the literature to date and provide next steps for future studies on paternal influences.
ISSN:0012-1630
1098-2302
DOI:10.1002/dev.22451