The role of parental playfulness as a moderator reducing child behavioural problems among children with intellectual disability in Israel

Background: Playfulness is well known to be vital for child development. However, not much is known regarding parental playfulness. We set out to investigate the role of parental playfulness in children with intellectual disabilities (ID) and typical development (TD) living in Israel. Specifically, we examined 1) differences in parental playfulness between groups and 2) parental playfulness as a moderator in the link between developmental status and behavioural problems (BP). Method: One hundred forty-two families living in Israel and their children (48 % with ID) aged 4–7 years participated in the study. Parent-child play interaction was videotaped and coded for parental playfulness. Parents reported on child BP using the CBCL questionnaire. Results: Parents in the ID group showed lower levels of playfulness compared to parents in the TD group. Father's playfulness acted as a moderator in the link between developmental status and child BP. Conclusions: These results highlight the unique role of father's playfulness in the developmental status of a child diagnosed with ID.