Mikhayl’s research examines the psychological mechanisms through which fathers develop closeness with their children, with a particular focus on rough-and-tumble play (RTP) as a distinctive form of paternal participation.
Drawing on Self-Expansion Theory and the Inclusion of Other in Self framework, this work investigates how the characteristics of father-child physical play — novelty, challenge, and intrinsic enjoyment — may function as drivers of relational connection, and how fathers’ sense of parenting competence shapes the conditions under which different forms of involvement contribute to closeness. This line of research carries direct implications for the design of father-focused interventions, where understanding what motivates fathers toward specific forms of engagement — and why certain activities yield relational returns for some fathers more than others — can inform more targeted and effective program strategies for strengthening father-child relationships.