Moving toward an integrated model of the father–daughter relationship during adolescence

• Published date: 01 December 2023
• Author: Rachel S. Blickman,Cynthia G. Campbell
• Date: 01 December 2023
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12787

RESEARCH

Moving toward an integrated model of the

father–daughter relationship during adolescence

Rachel S. Blickman|Cynthia G. Campbell

Department of Psychological Science, Boise

State University, Boise, ID

Correspondence Cynthia G. Campbell,

Department of Psychological Science, 1910

University Drive, MS 1715, Boise State

University, Boise, ID 83725, USA.

Email: cynthiacampbell@boisestate.edu

Abstract

Objective: This study offers a structural model of father–

daughter relationships from the perspective of adolescent

daughters and identifies relational constructs that promote

closeness in the dyad.

Background: The relationship between fathers and daugh-

ters is important to daughters’healthy development yet is

vulnerable to tension and distance, particularly during

adolescence. Drawing on areas of father involvement that

make positive contributions to the lives of adolescent

daughters, we propose a relational framework of the

father–daughter dyad.

Method: Undergraduate females (N=206) retrospectively

reported on their relationship with their biological father

during adolescence using an assessment tool developed for

this study.

Results: Constructs identified in the data included fathers’

supportive involvement (composed of emotional support,

autonomy support, communication, and shared activities),

fathers’expectations, fathers’investment, daughters’desire

for closeness, and daughters’perception of closeness. Find-

ings indicated that supportive involvement positively and

significantly predicted closeness, whereas expectations neg-

atively and significantly predicted closeness.

Conclusion: This research proposes a structural framework

of the father–daughter dyad and emphasizes the impor-

tance of fathers’emotional involvement and support in

their adolescent daughters’lives.

Implications: Findings may inform interventions aimed to

promote positive family relationships and provide a base-

line comparison for future investigation of other types of

father–daughter dyads.

Author note: Rachel S. Blickman is now at the University of Texas, Austin, TX.

Received: 3 September 2021Revised: 21 August 2022Accepted: 5 September 2022

DOI: 10.1111/fare.12787

© 2022 National Council on Family Relations.

2664 Family Relations. 2023;72:2664–2678.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/fare