Linkages Between Children’s Behavior and Nonresident Father Involvement: A Comparison of African American, Anglo, and Latino Families

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between ethnicity-based variations in nonresident fathers’ involvement and children’s behavior. Using weighted least squares regression analysis, this study investigates nonresident father involvement and children’s behavior based on a nationally representative sample of children in the National Survey of America’s Families. After controlling for family context variables, nonresident father involvement through increased frequency of visits was positively associated with better child behavior. The payment of formal or informal child support by nonresident fathers was also associated with better behavior. This study suggests that the impact of nonresident father involvement on child behavior varies among African American, Anglo, and Latino families.