BLACK FATHERS' KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES ABOUT TOXIC STRESS

Abstract

To help address the disproportionate rates of early childhood adversity within the Black community, this study set out to assess African American fathers’ knowledge and attitudes about toxic stress, its effect on neurodevelopment, and resilience factors, as well as their receptivity to engaging in research that addresses mental health disparities associated with early childhood. Sixteen self-identified Black adult males (mean age: 39 years) with children 18 years old or younger watched a 6-minute animated video about toxic stress, neurodevelopment, and resilience, and engaged in focus groups to assess their attitudes about these topics. Pre- and postsurvey questionnaires were used to quantify knowledge gained. Participants additionally completed the original and expanded Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCE) questionnaires. All participants experienced at least 1 ACE (M: 3.5), one expanded ACE (M: 6.3), and 1 BCE (M: 8.5). Confidence in being able to explain toxic stress and its effects to others increased (M = 2.8, SD = 0.98 vs M = 3.5, SD = 0.82; p = 0.036), as did knowledge that genes, environment, and experiences together affect child cognitive, social, and emotional development (M = 10.44, SD = 1.8 vs M = 12.3, SD = 1.4; p = 0.002). Qualitative themes related to toxic stress included the perpetuation of historical and intergenerational trauma, parental stress of managing systemic barriers (ie, racial discrimination, financial inequities, incarceration), and challenges within co-parenting relationships. Protective themes included the need for early parental education about the effects of toxic stress, positive imagery of Black fatherhood, and the resilience of Black fathers and the Black community as a whole. This study yielded insights into Black fathers’ perspectives about culturally specific contributors and protective factors of childhood toxic stress that are not currently addressed by evidence-based practices. These data, and the paucity of purposeful inclusion of fathers in early childhood prevention and intervention programs, represent gaps in current program design and implementation, and highlight the need for more father engagement and community-partnered participatory collaborations to improve mental health outcomes of children.