Purpose: Fathers' child-rearing is still limited in Japan. This study describes the current situation of fathers' child-rearing and examines the association with positive spillover.
Method: Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to fathers of toddlers of nursery schools in a suburban city of Tokyo, Japan. To examine the influence of different factors on fathers' emotional support for mothers in child-rearing and house work, hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed.
Results: From the analysis of 189 respondents, positive spillover of work and family roles, and egalitarian sex role attitudes were related to fathers' emotional support for mothers. Regarding child-rearing and housework, positive spillover of work and family roles and mothers' occupations were related.
Conclusion: Fathers' child-rearing behavior is related with positive spillover of work and family roles.