Father Involvement and Adolescent's Achievement: A Mediational Analysis

Presented by: Mellissa Gordon, James Hull

Studies suggesting that parental involvement is positively associated with adolescents' academic achievement tend to focus overwhelmingly on mothers' involvement. Less is known however, about fathers' involvement and the mechanismsby which their involvement influences adolescents' academic success. Based on theory and previous research, the current study explores the mediating effects of adolescents' self-esteem and father-adolescent relationship quality on the association between father involvement and adolescent's academic achievement. Empirical support of findings contributes to the growing body of research involving fathers, and can lead to a broader understanding of the mechanisms by which father involvement influences adolescents' academic success.

Family Programing for Adolescent Fathers: How Is It Going?

Presented by: Richard Feistman

The combination of recent federal funding for fatherhood programing and our field's strong interest in fatherhood research has produced an extensive literature on promoting responsible fatherhood. This literature review seeks to synthesize and critically evaluate the available information about adolescent fathers in particular. Adolescent fathers are at risk for a variety of negative outcomes, however, they are also an excellent point of intervention for their families. By reviewing recent empirical research as well as existing programs funded through the Fatherhood Initiative, this review will offer insights about gaps in the literature and provide suggestions for programming.

Communication Technology Use in Nonresident Father-Teen Relationships

Presented by: Patrick Cheek

The goal of this mixed methods study was to 1) map the frequency of communication technology use in nonresident father-teen relationships, and 2) explore the meaning teens attached to these interactions. This study consisted of 100 participants who had a nonresident father during their teen years. This sample participated in a short, online survey and a small subset was asked to participate in follow-up interviews. Preliminary results of this ongoing study showed that the majority of participants used communication technology to stay connected to nonresident fathers, and that many attached importance to these interactions.

Father involvement with young children in the US and Germany

Presented by: Marina Adler, Karl Lenz

We present the current state of knowledge about father involvement with children under age 6 in Germany and the US. We review current quantitative and qualitative research based on time use survey data on the degree and kinds of father involvement with young children in the different cultural and policy contexts. While there is a common public discourse in Germany on the desirability of the "new father", data on engagement and accessibility reflect East- West differences. In the US the mandate of the father as good provider still predominates but fathers are increasingly the primary child care arrangement for pre-schoolers.

Father Involvement, Co-parenting, and Adolescent Mothers' Maternal Identity

Presented by: Jacquelyn Mallette, Ted Futris, Assaf Oshri, Geoffrey Brown

The current study examined father involvement during pregnancy, father-child involvement, co-parenting quality and maternal identity for 125 adolescent mothers. A positive maternal identity helps adolescent mothers to nurture their child's health and development and is influenced by father involvement and the co-parenting relationship. We examined a moderated mediation model in which fathers remain involved with their child after birth and have a positive impact on maternal identity when there is a consistently positive co-parenting relationship. Implications suggest that continuous father involvement and a cooperative co-parental relationship could reduce negative parenting by enhancing an adolescent mother's adaptation to the maternal role.

"I felt like a Dad!": Expectant Fathers and Ultrasounds

Presented by: Tammy Harpel, Kari Gentry

Using both quantitative and qualitative data, this study investigates the role of ultrasound technology on feelings of attachment and emotions experienced by expectant fathers. A total of 83 expectant fathers completed the online survey which included a 15-item attachment scale. Participants who were becoming fathers for the first time were more likely than those who were already fathers to report that the ultrasound increased their feelings of attachment. Results indicated that the ultrasound was an exciting and amazing experience that made the fetus more real and produced feelings of pride."