Summary
The aim of the study is to investigate mediators of the association between different father caregiving statuses (primary caregiver, resident coparent, nonresident coparent, nonresident secondary caregiver) and the emotional wellbeing of adolescents, using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Sequential mediators were tested by first examining the mediating roles of father's disciplinary style, father-child closeness, and father involvement level at child age 9, then father-child relationship quality at child age 15. The results will be evaluated in the light of the literature, and implications for relevant contexts will be discussed.

Objectives

• To investigate the variables that mediate the association between father status and emotional wellbeing of adolescents.
• To analyze the predictive power of father involvement, father-child closeness and father's disciplinary style for father-child relationship quality.
• To evaluate the importance of the father related variables in emotional wellbeing of the adolescents.

Subject Codes: fatherhood, parent-child relationships, relationship quality
Population Codes: adolescence, adolescence,
Method and Approach Codes: mediation/indirect effects models, secondary data analysis, regression: linear (simple, multiple, hierarchical)

Summary
The purpose of this study was to look at involvement in relation to father's perception if mothers' gatekeeping, father's competence as a parent, their cultural stance as related to conservatism. A path analysis was utilized. Findings suggest that Turkish American fathers' competency predicted father involvement. Gate-closing significantly predicted father involvement. gate-opening reports of fathers predicted their involvement. Gate-closing partially mediated the relationship between competency and involvement.

Objectives

• To analyze the fit of the path model with the specified variables.
• To examine the mediation relationship between the variables.
• To create a basis for the population in question.

Subject Codes: fatherhood, caregiving, parenting
Population Codes: U.S., Caucasian/White, biological parent
Method and Approach Codes: path analysis, ,

Summary
Limited research focuses on diversity and variations in fatherhood program experiences. Few studies assess differences at program entry and over time based on participant or class characteristics. Specifically, since women are eligible to participate in community-based fatherhood programs, we explored whether men in a male-only class composition experienced comparable change in target outcomes to men in a mixed class composition that includes unrelated women. We found no statistically significant baseline differences in four baseline family strengths by gender or the interaction of gender and race. Black participants reported higher levels in parental involvement and financial responsibility compared to White participants. On average, all fatherhood program participants showed improvements from pre- to post-program in family strengths, with no differences by gender or race. Contrary to our hypothesis, men in “men only” classes were not advantaged over men in a “mixed class” comprised of men/women.

Objectives

• To provide information on differences at baseline and over time in four family strengths among subgroups of fatherhood program participants in demographic factors- gender, race, and their intersection.
• To examine differences in program outcomes based on class composition of gender (men-only classes versus men/women classes).
• To inform fatherhood program facilitators and evaluators and enhance fatherhood program research literature.

Subject Codes: fatherhood, protective factors, education
Population Codes: Family Life Education, inclusive of adults, low income
Method and Approach Codes: Family Life Education, quantitative methodology, program evaluation

Summary
Sociocultural norms around fathering, including parental leave, have been theorized to affect father engagement and bonding. The COVID-19 pandemic caused changes to the work-family interface for many families. We conducted focus groups with 29 prenatal and postpartum fathers during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand fathers’ perceptions of how the pandemic influenced their experience of preparing for and adjusting to having a baby. We used thematic analysis to identify themes in the fathers’ reported experiences. Preliminary results suggest fathers experienced pandemic-related worries around job security, health of the mother and baby, and unpredictable health protocols around birth. Fathers also reported reduced availability of formal resources such as childbirth classes and access to obstetric professionals. Postpartum fathers who experienced increased time at home due to the pandemic described extended time home with their infants as the most important factor in their ability to adjust to fatherhood. Policy and program implications are discussed.

Objectives

• Examine fathers’ reported use of childbirth and parenting resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Examine fathers’ reports of childbirth and parenting worries related to the pandemic.
• Examine fathers’ reported adjustment to the parenting role following the birth of a baby during the pandemic.

Subject Codes: fatherhood, COVID-19, birth
Population Codes: income inclusive, middle adulthood, diverse but not representative
Method and Approach Codes: qualitative methodology, needs assessment, thematic analysis

Summary
Sensitized by identity theory and symbolic interactionism, this qualitative study sought to understand how social structures, statuses, and processes experienced due to contextual influences of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted fathering identity during a time of crisis and change. In-depth interviews of 45 fathers of young children in the U.S. were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Results revealed that men relied on role modeling from fathering role models when engaging in new fathering processes and behaviors. Almost all participants reported someone other than their own father as a role model. A majority of fathers reported their mother as a model for fathering due to their close relationship or her professional knowledge and others pointed to professional or community models. Several looked to their fathering models to inform their identity processes and behaviors. Implications for understanding how contextual events and parenting role models contribute to their fathering processes and behaviors are discussed.

Objectives

• To identify who fathers see as role models to fathering
• To describe reasons for choosing fathering role models.
• To define why fathers choose someone (male or female) other than their own father

Subject Codes: fatherhood, identity, family processes
Population Codes: prenatal or infants, early childhood,
Method and Approach Codes: grounded theory, ,

Summary
Examining the notion that anxiety aggregates in families, this study utilized data from NICHD Study of Early Childcare and Youth Development to test the reciprocity of parent-child anxiety over time. Measures of maternal anxiety, paternal anxiety, and child anxiety were collected from over 600 families during a nine-year period. Four cross-lagged path models across ages 6, 8, 10, and 15 were conducted. Mother-child model showed significant bidirectional predictive effects of mother-child anxiety across all time points. The father-child model showed significant predictive effects, but no reciprocity. Family models confirmed unique influence paternal anxiety on child anxiety. Highlighting the familial nature of anxiety, the results point toward the importance of both parents’ anxiety in child anxiety etiology over time.

Objectives

• Participants will be able to describe the role of parental anxiety in child anxiety maintanence over time.
• Participants will be able to distinguish the differing effects of maternal anxiety and paternal anxiety on child anxiety over time.
• Participants will be able to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of cross-lagged longitudinal models in studying parent-child reciprocal relationships.

Subject Codes: anxiety, fatherhood, pandemic
Population Codes: U.S., biological child,
Method and Approach Codes: longitudinal research, path analysis, quantitative methodology

Summary
This phenomenological study focused on Latino family acculturation into the United States from the perspective of Latino Fathers. The theoretical framework applied was family stress theory with a reflexive approach. The research provides a fresh look from their own words that will help define a contemporary view of Latino fathers. Family scientists and researchers can know the Latino father and how they can add to society. The study found that Latino fathers are dedicated to their children and family, both the nuclear and extended members. They are also dedicated to ensuring the household chores are equally shared. Also, they are actively involved with the education and welfare of their children and respect their wives. They are also concerned about the financial education of their children and that they will be globally successful. It contradicts the social media portrayal of Latino fathers as being lazy and overbearing (Saracho & Spodek, 2007).

Objectives

• To demonstrate the influence to Latino fathers from acculturation.
• To evaluate the contributions of Latino fathers to their families.
• To explore the Latino father from a family perspective.

Subject Codes: ethnicity, fatherhood, immigration
Population Codes: Hispanic/Latina/o/x, Catholic, heterosexual
Method and Approach Codes: diversity, qualitative methodology, phenomenology

Summary
As part of a larger study on father involvement, we explored the perspectives and reported behaviors of mothers and fathers on maternal gatekeeping. A local fatherhood coalition, with a primary goal of supporting fathers in the community, learned from fathers that mothers were the greatest influence on their involvement. Therefore, we explored how mothers viewed their gate opening and gate closing decisions and compared maternal responses to paternal reports. Thirteen mothers and fourteen fathers participated in interviews about father involvement. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed to determine how mothers facilitated, encouraged or discouraged involvement. Findings suggest that mothers apply oversight to family decisions that are influenced by what activities they believe are best suited for fathers, their relationship with grandparents, and race-based concerns. Mothers also reported encouraging fathers’ efforts to emotionally bond with the child. Fathers viewed a variety of ways mothers discouraged involvement, which were not recognized by mothers.

Objectives

• Analyze maternal and paternal views of gatekeeping
• Explore a community's response to supporting father involvement
• Critique maternal and societal actions that create inequities for fathers

Subject Codes: gender roles, coparenting, inequalities
Population Codes: diverse but not representative, income inclusive, community or institution
Method and Approach Codes: community participation/action research, grounded theory, advocacy