The Predictive Effects of Early Parenting Characteristics on Latent Profiles of Infant Development

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify latent profiles of infant development at 16-17 months and to longitudinally examine the predictive effects of early (4-5 months postpartum) parenting characteristics (maternal parenting behavior, maternal parenting stress, and paternal involvement) on these profiles. Data from 445 infant-mother dyads who participated in both Wave 1 and Wave 2 of the Korean Early Childhood Education and Care Panel Study were analyzed using a three-step latent profile analysis(R3STEP). The results are as follows. First, infant development at 16-17 months was classified into three latent profiles: an adaptive group (60.67%), a borderline group (31.01%), and an at-risk group (8.31%). The three groups differed not only in overall developmental levels but also showed heterogeneous patterns, with each group exhibiting a distinct profile shape across developmental domains. Second, higher paternal involvement at 4-5 months postpartum predicted a greater likelihood of infants belonging to the adaptive profile. Third, maternal parenting stress showed opposite directions of association depending on the groups compared, warranting cautious interpretation. These findings suggest that prevention and intervention for developmental risk in infancy should target both parents from the early postpartum period, providing empirical grounds for parent education and support policies that include fathers.