The role of paternal mind-mindedness in preschoolers' self-regulated conduct

This study examined the prospective links between paternal mind-mindedness (MM) and 2 indices of preschoolers' self-regulated conduct, namely, inhibitory control and rule-compatible conduct. Ninety-two families (47 boys) participated in 2 assessments. Paternal MM was assessed with a 10-min father-child free-play session when children were aged 18months. Children's rule-compatible conduct was reported by mothers when children reached 3years of age, and inhibitory control was measured with a Snack Delay task, also administered at 3years. The results suggested that after accounting for the contribution of child temperament (social fearfulness), paternal MM was positively related to children's inhibitory control. In contrast, the relation between paternal MM and mother-reported rule-compatible conduct was not significant. The results are interpreted in light of the mechanisms that may account for the links between paternal MM and preschoolers' emerging capacity to voluntarily control their behaviour. Highlights This study examines the prospective links between paternal mind-mindedness and two indices of preschoolers' subsequent self-regulated conduct. Paternal mind-mindedness was assessed with father-child free-play, and self-regulated conduct with an inhibitory control task and a mother questionnaire. The results suggest that paternal mind-mindedness is positively related to children's inhibitory control.