Dimensions of Fathers' and Mothers' Supportive Behavior: The Case for Physical Affection.

Past research has described parental support as unidimensional and ignored physical affection, both conceptually and operationally. In the present study, factor analysis of 527 college students reveals four separate dimensions of parental support: general support, physical affection, companionship, and sustained contact. Fathers are shown to differentiate their expression of physical affection and sustained contact on the basis of the sex of the child, with more to daughters than sons. Both parents express more companionship to the same-sex child. Regression analysis reveals that daughters' self-esteem is best predicted by mothers' general support and fathers' physical affection. Sons' self-esteem is best predicted by mothers' companionship and fathers' sustained contact.