Dimensions of Fathers' and Mothers' Supportive Behavior: The Case for Physical Affection
Keywords
Physical Affection, supportive behavior, mother, father
Abstract
Past research has described parental support as unidimensional and ignored physical affection, both conceptually and operationally. In the present study, factor analysis of 527 college students reveals four separate dimensions of parental support: general support, physical affection, companionship, and sustained contact. Fathers are shown to differentiate their expression of physical affection and sustained contact on the basis of the sex of the child, with more to daughters than sons. Both parents express more companionship to the same-sex child. Regression analysis reveals that daughters' self-esteem is best predicted by mothers' general support and fathers' physical affection. Sons' self-esteem is best predicted by mothers' companionship and fathers' sustained contact.
Original Publication Citation
"Dimensions of Fathers and Mothers Supportive Behavior: The Case for Physical Affection," Journal of Marriage and the Family 48 (Nov.):783-794 (with B. Barber).
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Barber, Brian K. and Thomas, Darwin L., "Dimensions of Fathers' and Mothers' Supportive Behavior: The Case for Physical Affection" (1986). Faculty Publications. 5721.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/5721
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
1986
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8451
Publisher
Journal of Marriage and the Family
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Sociology
Copyright Use Information
https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/