Parental attitudes among fathers in Russian Protestant families

Abstract

Introduction. The relevance of this study stems from the need to examine parental attitudes among contemporary Protestant fathers in Russia, focusing on the transformation of these attitudes in both religious and secular families. The study also addresses the growing importance of understanding father-child relationships in modern families, aiming to identify patterns that can inform psychological support and counselling for families. The study involved 190 fathers, including 64 Protestant, 62 Orthodox, and 64 secular participants.

Materials and Methods. The research is based on surveys and statistical methods, including comparative, factor, and correlation analyses. In particular, the instruments employed in the study included the Parental Attitude Questionnaire (PAQ) by A. Ya. Varga and V. V. Stolin, the Role Expectations and Claims in Marriage Questionnaire (REC) by A. N. Volkova, and A. M. Parachev’s Color-Associative Method.

Results. The study identified three types of parental attitudes among Protestant fathers: democratic (responsible), authoritarian (traditional), and symbiotic (hyperprotective). Protestant fathers with a high internalization of Protestant moral and cultural norms tend to adopt a democratic style, emphasizing the household stability and active involvement in child-rearing. In contrast, those with an authoritarian style typically delegate more child-rearing responsibilities to their wives, maintaining a primarily educational role with limited engagement. Fathers exhibiting a symbiotic style, often placing less importance on such values as freedom and family life, impose greater restrictions on their children’s autonomy, employing prohibitions and limitations.

Conclusions. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the identification of psychotherapeutic targets in individual therapy and family counseling to ensure more effective consultative assistance.