A longitudinal study examining the relationship between paternal psychological distress and rough-and-tumble play

This study examines the relationship between fathers’ psychological distress and their rough-and-tumble play (RTP) with their young children. Participants were 71 fathers and their children between the ages of 12-24 months, with 34 fathers and children returning for follow up at age 4-6. Quality of the father-child RTP interactions was assessed by independent observers. Frequency of play, and paternal psychological distress in the form of depression, anxiety, stress or parenting stress was collected by fathers’ self-report. The aim was to explore the association between paternal mental health, and the quality and frequency of fathers’ RTP with their children across time. Associations were found between stress and play long term reduction in frequency across time, but no immediate differences observed. The discussion explores how fathers’ psychological distress can impact on their relationship with their children.