The last few years have seen a steady increase in research addressing the potential influence of
fathers on their children’s development. There has also been a clearer acknowledgement of the
need to study families as a complex
system, rather than just focussing on individual aspects of
functioning in one or
other parent. Increased father involvement and more engaged styles of
father
-
infant interactions are associated with more positive outcomes for children. Studies of
paternal
depression and other psychopathology have begun to elucidate some of the key
mechanisms by which fathers can influence their children’s development. These lessons are
now
being incorporated into thinking about engaging both mothers and fathers in effective
interventions to optimise their children’s health and development.