The role of the perception of fatherhood role, parenting stress and psychological well-being in explaining the fathers father involvement with children between 4-10 years old

The aim of this research is to examine the roles of variables such as the perception of fatherhood role, parenting stress, and psychological well-being in explaining the level of father involvement for fathers who have children between 4-10 years old. In addition, the study aims to examine father involvement for fathers with children in preschool and primary school according to various demographic variables. The research method used in the study is the descriptive research method and correlational screening model. The purposive sampling method was used in the study and the research group consisted of 330 fathers who had children between the ages of 4 and 10 and whose children attended preschool, kindergarten, or primary school. "Personal Information Form", "Father Involvement Scale", "The Perception of Fatherhood Role Scale", "Parenting Stress Scale" and "Psychological Well-being Scale" were utilized as data collection tools. The data obtained during the research process were analyzed using the SPSS package program. In line with the problem sentences of the research, in the analysis of the participants' father involvement, the perception of the role of fatherhod, parenting stress and psychological well-being levels according to the socio-demographic variables collected through the personal information form, by providing the assumption of normality; t-test, in cases where the assumption of normality is not met; Mann Whitney U test was used.Pearson Correlation Analysis and Stepwise Multiple Regression were used in the study for the analysis of the scales. In the study, it was concluded that the fathers' perception of fatherhood role differed according to the working status of the spouse and the educational status of the father and spouse. It was concluded that parenting stress differed according to the age of the father. In addition, it has been determined that there is a differentiation according to the participation variable of father involvement, perceived basic caregiving, participation in the child's education life, playing games, cooperation with the school, providing information about the child's developmental periods and providing academic support. It was determined that the perception of the fatherhood role differed according to the perceived basic caregiving and academic support variable. It was determined that fathers differed according to parenting stress, perceived basic caregiving, cooperation with school, providing information about the child's developmental stages and providing academic support. It has been determined that the psychological well-being of fathers differs according to the participation oh the child's education life, providing information about the child's developmental periods, providing academic support and peer relations. While there was a positive and significant relationship between father involvement, perception of fatherhood role and psychological well-being, a negative significant relationship was found between father involvement and parenting stress. In the study, psychological well-being, the perception of fatherhood role, providing academic support, providing support for peer relations, parenting stress and playing games were found to be important predictors of father involvement. All the of results obtained from the research will contribute to psychological counselors, educators, families and researchers working in this field regarding related subsuquent studies and literature. Key Words: Father Involvement, The Perception of Fatherhood Role, Parenting Stress, Psychological Well-Being