Warmth in mother‐child and father‐child relationships in middle childhood

Using a global scale based on interview responses, mothers and fathers ( n = 54) of children aged 6–7 years were rated on the warmth‐hostility dimension. The ratings were correlated with measures of parent‐child interactions obtained from a home observation. The main aim was to determine whether mothers and fathers differ in the way in which verbally expressed warmth is revealed in natural interactions with their children, and whether, as well, warmth might be displayed differently in interactions with sons versus daughters. The observational measures included the frequency and nature of interactions parents initiated with their children as well as parental responses to the behaviour of children. In addition, the behaviour of the children was examined. Higher interview‐rated warmth was associated with different behaviours in the four parent‐child dyads (mother‐son, mother‐daughter, father‐son and father‐daughter). For example, with sons, mothers rated higher on warmth showed more concern and more playful joking, while with daughters mother warmth was mainly associated with being less negative in reactions to daughter's behaviour. Parental warmth was also associated with different behaviours in sons and daughters and according to whether the child was interacting with mothers or fathers. Warmth, therefore, was displayed differently in the relationships of the four parent‐child dyads. The issue of whether parental warmth determines child behaviour or child behaviour affects parental warmth and acceptance is discussed.