Puerto Rican Fathers' Involvement with Their Preschool-Age Children

The relationships between fathers' functional styles within the family, social support, and fathers’ involvement with their preschool-age children in the home were assessed in 40 mainland Puerto Rican intact lower-to middle-income families. The data revealed that fathers spent about a third of the time as mothers did in primary caregiving. Family income and fathers' educational level were not significantly associated with paternal involvement, fathers' functional styles, or the degree of support received, but family income was positively associated with length of time married. Fathers' assessments of their commitment to the family and their competence were significantly associated with their involvement with their preschool-age children. The results are discussed with respect to the importance ofpersonalpsychologicalfunctioningforparticipation in early caregiving.