2016 Volume 19 Issue 1 Pages 4-13
Objective: To explore factors related to the sense of achievement in their parental role among parents with a 3-year-old child and to suggest future child-rearing support.
Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-reported questionnaire survey. Multiple linear regression analyses were carried out, with the sense of achievement in their role as parents as the dependent variable, and demographic factors, father's child-rearing support behaviors (emotional support to his spouse, child-rearing and housework support), parent-child interaction, etc., as independent variables.
Results: The study population consisted of 113 fathers and 144 mothers with three-year-old children who visited a ward B health center in city A in 2012. Fathers of three-year-old children with a higher sense of achievement in their parental role were significantly more likely to give higher emotional support to their spouse, have older children and have the feeling of child-rearing going as planned. Mothers of three-year-old children with a higher sense of achievement in their parental role were significantly more likely to have higher emotional support from their spouse, more interaction with any children before birth, and higher subjective health.
Conclusion: This study revealed factors related to a higher sense of achievement in the parental role of mothers and fathers. To enhance the sense of achievement in the parental role for both parents, it is important to promote fathers' participation in child rearing and to encourage fathers to give emotional support to their spouse such as by having more marital conversations or respecting his spouse's feelings.
