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

Abstract

This study examined the prospective links between paternal mind‐mindedness (MM) and 2 indices of preschoolers' self‐regulated con-duct, namely, inhibitory control and rule‐compatible conduct.Ninety‐two families (47 boys) participated in 2 assessments. PaternalMM was assessed with a 10‐min father–child free‐play session whenchildren were aged 18 months. Children's rule‐compatible conductwas reported by mothers when children reached 3 years of age,and inhibitory control was measured with a Snack Delay task, alsoadministered at 3 years. The results suggested that after accountingfor 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‐reportedrule‐compatible conduct was not significant. The results areinterpreted in light of the mechanisms that may account for the linksbetween paternal MM and preschoolers' emerging capacity tovoluntarily control their behaviour.