Dr. Wang and Doctoral Student Frost Publish Research on Paternal Parenting
May 7, 2026
SRL Family Research Group members, Dr. Dan Wang, Ami Frost, and their collaborators recently publishes their research on paternal parenting in Chinese families at Family Relations.
Citation: Wang, Z., Wang, D., *Frost, A. M. H., & Xia, Y. (2026; in press). Paternal parenting experiences and young children’s behavior problems in Chinese families. Family Relations. Project Team: This study derives from a collaborative project among four researchers at the University of Oklahoma (Wang & Frost), Henan University (Wang), and University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Xia). Objective: This study examines relationships between paternal parenting experiences and behavior problems in young children aged 3 to 6 years in China. Background: Although the role and impacts of fathers in parenting has been understood in Western contexts, it is less studied within the Chinese cultural context. Methods: We used a quota sampling approach and recruited participants through childcare centers, in which interested teachers shared the online survey link with parents. We analyzed data from 485 fathers in Henan province using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and multiple linear regression. Results: Chinese fathers who reported more cooperative coparenting experienced lower levels of parenting stress, less child maltreatment, and fewer behavior problems in their children than fathers with less cooperative coparenting. Moreover, higher levels of paternal parenting stress and more child maltreatment predicted more child behavior problems, even after adjusting for family characteristics. Finally, cooperative coparenting was associated with fewer child behavior problems. Conclusions: The findings provide empirical evidence of paternal contribution to child behavioral outcomes in Chinese families. Implications: The study highlights the need to reduce parenting stress and child maltreatment behaviors among fathers and to enhance cooperative coparenting between mothers and fathers to prevent child maladaptive behaviors.
MA Student Siddiki and Dr. Wang Receive Summer Research Fellowship
April 22, 2026
Taysir Siddiki and his research mentor Dr. Wang received the 2026 Grasmick/Riddle Summer Research Fellowship award provided by the University of Oklahoma Department of Sociology. Congratulations Taysir!
Taysir will explore foster care placement and youth behavior.
MA Student Seyfi Presents Research at OU Sociology
April 17, 2026
MA Student Saman Seyfi presented his research “Entitled to the earth: Aggrieved entitlement, economic insecurity, and White men’s environmental attitudes” at the OU Sociology department.
This research is funded by the 2025 Grasmick/Riddle Summer Research Fellowship in the Department of Sociology at the University of Oklahoma. The fellowship was awarded to Saman and his research mentor Dr. Wang. They have drafted the manuscript and presented preliminary findings at the Oklahoma Sociological Association Annual Conference in 2025. They will also present the research at the American Sociological Association Annual Conference in 2026 in New York. Well done, Saman!
Dr. Wang Receives DFCAS Faculty Fellowship to Explore Youth Depression
April 7, 2026
Dr. Dan Wang receives the junior faculty summer fellowship in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma to conduct research on youth depression using secondary data.
Dr. Wang and BA/MA Student Stanosheck Accepted for ASA Presentation
April 7, 2026
Dr. Dan Wang and her BA/MA student Alyson Stanosheck were accepted to presented their research at the American Sociological Association’s Annual Conference. Their research focuses on “Risk and resilience among racially/ethnically minoritized youth. It’s their first time submitting to ASA and Aly’s first national conference presentation. Congratulations!
Dr. Wang and Undergraduate Student Banwait Presented Research at NCFR
November 20, 2025
Dr. Dan Wang and her undergraduate student Suki Banwait presented their team’s research at the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Annual Meeting in Baltimore. It was Suki’s first national presentation. Congratulations and great job!
Wang, D., Wang, Z., Xia, Y., & **Banwait, S. (2025, November 19–22). Do perceived parenting and child behavior problems differ for Chinese mothers and fathers with young children? [Paper Presentation]. National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
Dan Wang 