Predictors of Father Investment of Time and Finances: The Specificity of Resources, Relationships, and Parenting Beliefs

Abstract

The present study examined multiple domains of father involvement and their correlates in a sample of 478 ethnically and racially diverse low-income fathers of 24-month-old children. Regression analyses revealed that paternal resources related to most forms of involvement: Education was related to caregiving and cognitive activities, and income was associated with financial provision. Resident fathers spent more time with their children across several activities, and father–mother disagreements were negatively associated with financial provision. Fathers who believed their role as financial provider to be highly important reported more financial provision, whereas fathers who reported investment in their children’s development to be highly important were more involved in caregiving. Fathers who endorsed traditional gender norms participated in less caregiving and cognitive activities. Findings indicate the specificity of correlates of involvement and the need to consider resources, relationships, and parenting beliefs in interventions that support fathers’ physical and financial investment in their children.