Personality, Marital Quality, and Psychological Distress in Fathers’ Positive and Negative Parenting

Abstract Parenting behaviors play a critical role in child development, yet factors associated with fathers’ parenting behaviors remain underexplored. This study examined the associations and interactions between paternal personality traits, marital quality, psychological distress, and both positive and negative parenting behaviors. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted with 497 Japanese fathers of children aged 18 months to 3 years. Parenting behaviors, personality traits, marital quality, and psychological distress were assessed using the Positive and Negative Parenting Scale, Ten-Item Personality Inventory, Marital Satisfaction Scale, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, respectively. Multiple regression analyses revealed that agreeableness was negatively associated with inconsistent parenting and harsh discipline. Marital quality was positively associated with positive responsivity and respect for will. Psychological distress was negatively related to positive responsivity and positively to negative parenting. Furthermore, marital quality and psychological distress moderated some associations; notably, neuroticism was positively associated with inconsistency and harsh discipline only under low psychological distress. Overall, paternal personality traits, marital quality, and psychological distress were directly and interactively related to fathers’ parenting behaviors. These findings suggest that integrating paternal personality traits, marital quality, and psychological well-being into parenting support services may contribute to fostering positive fathering and enhancing child development outcomes.