Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of fathers’ involvement levels and certain demographic characteristics on the interactive peer play behaviors of children aged 48-72 months. The study included 328 children from Türkiye and their fathers. The Father Involvement Scale and the Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale - Parent Form were used as data collection tools. According to the findings, fathers’ involvement levels did not differ based on the gender of the child. However, when the children’s interactive peer play behaviors were examined, girls had significantly higher scores in the play interaction dimension, whereas boys scored higher in the play disruption and play disconnection dimensions. Regarding the leisure activity scores of the fathers, it was found that children with one sibling experienced more father involvement compared to those with three or more siblings. Similarly, children with two siblings experienced more father involvement than those with three or more siblings. Despite these differences, however, interactive peer play behaviors did not significantly vary according to the number of siblings. It was also found that children whose mothers had higher levels of education had higher scores in both the leisure and primary caregiving dimensions of father involvement, as well as in the play interaction dimension of peer play behavior. Furthermore, children whose fathers had higher education levels also had higher father involvement in leisure activities. Fathers who spent more time daily playing with their children had higher scores for leisure involvement, primary caregiving, interest, and closeness. However, no significant difference was found between the duration of daily father-child play and the child’s interactive peer play behaviors. A moderate positive correlation was found between the dimensions of father involvement (leisure engagement, attention and closeness, primary caregiving) and the play interaction dimension. A low-level negative correlation was identified between attention and closeness and the play disconnection dimension.

Keywords: Father involvement, Father-child relationship, Peer interaction, Preschool period, Play behavior

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How to cite

Çetingöz, D., Düzyol Türk, E., & Aral, N. (2025). Examination of interactive peer play behaviors of children aged 48-72 months with father involvement. Education and Science, 51(225), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.15390/ES.2026.2501