Analysis of Domestic Research Trends on the Parenting Involvement of Fathers with Young children

Objectives This study aims to examine research trends related to father involvement in parenting, as published in domestic academic journals. Methods Articles were collected from RISS, KCI, DBpia, and KISS using keywords such as ‘father involvement in parenting,’ ‘infant,’ and ‘young children’ between May 14 and May 21, 2024. A total of 163 articles were selected after reviewing titles, abstracts, and full texts. The trends were analyzed based on research period, methods, subjects, and topics. Results Results show that studies on father involvement in parenting began in 1993 and have continued annually, particularly from the fifth period (2013-2017) to the sixth period (2018-May 2024). Second, the majority of studies employed quantitative methods. Qualitative research and literature review methods began to appear in the fourth period (2008-2012), with a small number of mixed-method studies emerging in the sixth period. Third, the most common studies focused solely on fathers, followed by those involving fathers and their young children, fathers and mothers with their children, and studies on fathers and teachers. There were also studies focusing on mothers or mothers with their children, excluding fathers, as well as literature reviews and child panel studies. Lastly, the most frequent topic was the impact of father involvement in parenting on the development of young children. Other topics included studies on relational characteristics of fathers affecting involvement, the relationship between father involvement and maternal characteristics, the significance of fathers’ parenting experiences, fathers' perceptions and realities, and program development. Conclusions Research on father involvement in parenting has grown steadily and is expected to increase further, driven by societal focus on addressing low birth rates, promoting gender equality, and expanding institutional support. Future research should consider diverse methods, subjects, and topics.