Father Participation Research Articles

Evaluation of ‘The Father Effect’ Media Campaign to Increase Awareness of, and Participation in, an Online Father-Inclusive Parenting Program

ABSTRACTThere is substantial evidence that parenting programs are effective in improving parenting and child mental health outcomes. While there is increasing focus on delivering parenting interventions online to increase their reach and dissemination, fathers are underrepresented in all formats of parenting programs. However, research suggests that father participation is important for intervention effectiveness. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a media campaign for increasing awareness of, and participation in, an online father-inclusive parenting program called ‘ParentWorks’. An 8-week campaign was conducted in Australia via social media channels, digital display advertising, digital television, and radio. To assess the impact of the campaign, data were obtained from caregivers registering for ParentWorks during the campaign period (n = 848) and an 8-week comparison period that occurred 3 months later (n = 254). Additionally, a nationally representative sample of 2021 caregivers of children aged 2–16 years completed an online survey. Survey questions asked about exposure to the campaign, registration for participation in ParentWorks, and knowledge of the importance of father participation in parenting programs. Three times as many caregivers registered during the 8-week media campaign compared to the comparison period, and a significantly greater proportion of male caregivers registered in the campaign versus the comparison period. The online survey found that 11% of caregivers reported exposure to the campaign, and significantly more fathers than mothers reported exposure. Results showed that those who were exposed to the campaign were significantly more likely to endorse the importance of father participation in parenting programs, than those not exposed to the campaign. The findings indicate that media campaigns appear to be an effective method of increasing awareness of online parenting programs and enhancing rates of father involvement.

Quality of Life for Parents of Children With Congenital Heart Defect: A Systematic Review.

As survival rates for infants born with severe forms of cardiac defects (congenital heart defect [CHD]) improve, attention is directed to evaluating factors that affect the child's short- and long-term outcomes including parental quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this review was to identify how parental QOL is affected when having a child with a CHD. Factors that influence parental QOL when having a child with a CHD will also be described. A systematic search of CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases was performed. Thirty-three quantitative cross-sectional or cohort studies were selected for inclusion and analyzed for quality reporting using Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Heart defect severity, age of child, perceived support, and availability of economic resources were identified as factors affecting parental QOL. Parent gender was related to QOL and family functioning factors. Paternal outcomes were reported in 23 of the 33 studies (70%), with an average father participation rate of 40%. Having a child with CHD negatively affects parental QOL. Future research should include targeting fathers to improve understanding of their unique perceptions and needs. Longitudinal studies should also describe correlations of parental QOL with their child's developmental outcomes. Efficacy studies testing supportive interventions on outcomes such as improved adjustment and QOL are needed.

Toward Father-friendly Parenting Interventions: A Qualitative Study.

Levels of father participation in parenting interventions are often very low, yet little is known about the factors which influence father engagement. We aimed to qualitatively explore perceived barriers to, and preferences for, parenting interventions in a community sample of fathers. Forty‐one fathers across nine focus groups were interviewed using a semi‐structured interview. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Key barriers to father participation identified included: the perception that interventions are mother‐focused; beliefs about gender roles regarding parenting and help‐seeking; mothers’ role as ‘gatekeeper’; lack of knowledge and awareness of parenting interventions; and lack of relevance of interventions. Fathers reported preferences for specific content and intervention features, facilitator characteristics, practical factors, and highlighted the need for father‐targeted recruitment and advertising. Many of the barriers and preferences identified are consistent with previous research; however, fathers’ beliefs and attitudes around gender roles and help‐seeking, as well as the perception that interventions are predominantly mother‐focused, may be key barriers for community fathers. Strategies to overcome these barriers and better meet the needs of fathers in promoting and delivering parenting interventions are discussed.

The Participation of Mothers, Fathers, and Siblings in Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa

In family-based treatment (FBT) for adolescent anorexia nervosa, all family members are encouraged to attend sessions with the understanding that absences negatively impact treatment. There are, however, many obstacles to family members’ attendance, and there is no research to indicate whether family member attendance improves treatment outcomes. We examined attendance patterns of 198 families who participated in FBT at a specialist pediatric eating disorders program and assessed the extent to which participation by mothers (n = 194), fathers (n = 175), and siblings (n = 165; 50% female) predicted outcome. All mothers attended at least one session, and 74% attended all sessions. By comparison, 95% of fathers and 73% of siblings attended at least one session, and 33% of fathers and 1% of siblings attended all sessions. The mean proportion of sessions attended was 94% for mothers, 72% for fathers, and 20% for siblings. Over 6 months of treatment, the proportion of mothers who attended each session was largely stable; fathers’ attendance declined slowly, and siblings’ attendance declined more rapidly. Greater attendance by fathers predicted higher weight and lower eating disorder symptoms in adolescents at end of treatment. Remission at end of treatment was associated with higher attendance by fathers (M = 81% vs. M = 69%). Achieving sustained engagement of the whole family system in FBT is a considerable challenge. However, this study demonstrates that implementing processes that encourage and enable family members to attend treatment sessions could have significant benefits for patient outcomes.

The perception of fairness in infant care and mothers' postpartum depression

This study investigates a potential causal effect of mothers' perceptions of the fairness of infant care on their postpartum depression. Based on the tenets of equity theory, it is hypothesized that, net of controls, mothers who see infant care as fairly apportioned between themselves and their husbands will be less depressed than others. We utilize data from a longitudinal study of a nonrandom sample of 178 heterosexual couples experiencing the birth of their first child together. The primary focus variable is the mothers’ perception in the first couple of months postpartum that infant care is fair to them. Statistical analysis involved the careful chronological sequencing of response variable and controls, along with regression modeling using propensity scores. We find that a perception of fairness is associated with about a quarter of a standard deviation lower depressive symptomatology, controlling for key covariates. Depressive symptomatology is additionally elevated for mothers experiencing more pre-partum depression, and for those who more generally felt, before the birth, that they were overbenefiting in the marriage. This paper contributes to both equity theory and research on postpartum depression. In a scenario in which it is not practical or ethical to randomly assign people to fairness-in-infant-care conditions, we are able to utilize longitudinal data and a natural “experiment,” along with propensity-score modeling to attempt to assess the causal impact of fairness in infant care on postpartum depression. The finding that fairness in this arena appears to reduce postpartum depression emphasizes the importance of encouraging father participation in this critical stage of parenting. Limitations of the study with respect to causal inference are also discussed.

To Study the Difference in the Participation Level of Parents in the Education of Pakistani Students from Grade 7 To 10: Relation with Gender and Level of Studies

This study examined the relationship between parental involvement and academic performance of students from grade 7 to 10. The sample consisted of 100 literate parents who were at least high school graduates (Inter or A levels), 50 mothers and 50 fathers who were randomly selected. Before conducting the research, two things were hypothesized. Firstly, parental involvement promotes students academic success and secondly mothers tend to be more involved than fathers. Correlation was used to examine the relationship between parental involvement and academic performance. The results showed that there was a strong positive correlation of .751 between parental involvement and academic performance. Regression analysis was used to determine how strong the relationship between parental involvement and academic performance was and significance level was found out to be less than 0.05 showing significant relationship. Independent t test was used to evaluate the difference between the participation of mothers and fathers and the results showed a significant level of 0.01 which was less than 0.05 showing significant variation in the participation of mothers and fathers with mothers participation was greater than the fathers. For both the hypotheses, null hypothesis was rejected and alternate hypothesis was accepted.

Study protocol: evaluation of an online, father-inclusive, universal parenting intervention to reduce child externalising behaviours and improve parenting practices

BackgroundParenting interventions that focus on enhancing the quality and consistency of parenting are effective for preventing and reducing externalising problems in children. There has been a recent shift towards online delivery of parenting interventions in order to increase their reach and impact on the population prevalence of child externalising problems. Parenting interventions have low rates of father participation yet research suggests that father involvement may be critical to the success of the intervention. Despite this, no online parenting interventions have been specifically developed to meet the needs and preferences of fathers, as well as mothers. This paper describes the protocol of a study examining the effectiveness of an online, father-inclusive parenting intervention called ‘ParentWorks’, which will be delivered as a universal intervention to Australian families.Methods/designA single group clinical trial will be conducted to examine the effectiveness of ParentWorks for reducing child externalising problems and improving parenting, as well as to explore the impact of father engagement (in two-parent families) on child outcomes. Australian parents/caregivers with a child aged 2–16 years will be recruited. Participants will provide informed consent, complete pre-intervention measures and will then complete the intervention, which consists of five compulsory video modules and three optional modules. The primary outcomes for this study are changes in child externalising behaviour, positive and dysfunctional parenting practices and parental conflict, and the secondary outcome is changes in parental mental health. Demographic information, satisfaction with the intervention, and measures of parental engagement will also be collected. Questionnaire data will be collected at pre-intervention, post-intervention and three-month follow-up, as well as throughout the program.DiscussionThis paper describes the study protocol of a single group clinical trial of a national, online, father-inclusive parenting intervention. The results from this study could be used to inform public policy about providing support to parents of children with behaviour problems, and enhancing the engagement of fathers in parenting interventions.Trial registrationACTRN12616001223426, registered 05/09/2016

Optimising child outcomes from parenting interventions: fathers\u2019 experiences, preferences and barriers to participation

BackgroundEarly childhood interventions can have both immediate and long-term positive effects on cognitive, behavioural, health and education outcomes. Fathers are underrepresented in interventions focusing on the well-being of children. However, father participation may be critical for intervention effectiveness, especially for parenting interventions for child externalising problems. To date, there has been very little research conducted to understand the low rates of father participation and to facilitate the development of interventions to meet the needs of fathers. This study examined fathers’ experiences of, and preferences for, parenting interventions as well as perceptions of barriers to participation. It also examined how these factors were associated with child externalising behaviour problems, and explored the predictors of participation in parenting interventions.MethodsA community sample of 1001 fathers of children aged 2–16 years completed an online survey about experiences with parenting interventions, perceived barriers to participation, the importance of different factors in their decision to attend, and preferred content and delivery methods. They also completed ratings of their child’s behaviour using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.ResultsOverall, 15% of fathers had participated in a parenting intervention or treatment for child behaviour, with significantly higher rates of participation for fathers of children with high versus low levels of externalising problems. Fathers rated understanding what is involved in the program and knowing that the facilitator is trained as the two most important factors in their decision to participate. There were several barriers to participation that fathers of children with high-level externalising problems were more likely to endorse, across practical barriers and help-seeking attitudes, compared to fathers of children with low-level externalising problems. Almost two-thirds of fathers of children with high-level externalising behaviour had not participated in a parenting intervention or treatment. The only significant predictors of intervention participation were severity of child externalising behaviour problems and child age.ConclusionsThe findings have important implications for services seeking to increase father engagement and highlight a number of strategies to enhance the promotion and delivery of parenting interventions to fathers. These strategies include more public health messaging about parenting programs and the importance of father participation.

Fragile X Newborn Screening: Lessons Learned From a Multisite Screening Study.

Delays in the diagnosis of children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) suggest the possibility of newborn screening as a way to identify children earlier. However, FXS does not have a proven treatment that must be provided early, and ethical concerns have been raised about the detection of infants who are carriers. This article summarizes major findings from a multisite, prospective, longitudinal pilot screening study. Investigators in North Carolina, California, and Illinois collaborated on a study in which voluntary screening for FXS was offered to parents in 3 birthing hospitals. FXS newborn screening was offered to >28 000 families to assess public acceptance and determine whether identification of babies resulted in any measurable harms or adverse events. Secondary goals were to determine the prevalence of FMR1 carrier gene expansions, study the consent process, and describe early development and behavior of identified children. A number of publications have resulted from the project. This article summarizes 10 "lessons learned" about the consent process, reasons for accepting and declining screening, development and evaluation of a decision aid, prevalence of carriers, father participation in consent, family follow-up, and maternal reactions to screening. The project documented public acceptance of screening as well as the challenges inherent in obtaining consent in the hospital shortly after birth. Collectively, the study provides answers to a number of questions that now set the stage for a next generation of research to determine the benefits of earlier identification for children and families.

Fathers' Perceptions of Change Following Parenting Intervention: Randomized Controlled Trial of Triple P for Parents of Children With Asthma or Eczema.

To test whether families' participation in an evidence-based parenting program can improve health-related outcomes reported by fathers of 2- to 10-year-old children with asthma and/or eczema. A 2 (Triple P-Positive Parenting Program vs. care as usual) by 3 (baseline, postintervention, 6-month follow-up) design was used, with random group assignment. Of 107 families, 51.4% (N = 55) had a father participate alongside the child's mother, who was the primary intervention target. Fathers completed questionnaires assessing illness-related child behavior problems; self-efficacy with illness management and illness-related child behavior problems; and health-related quality of life. Secondary intent-to-treat analyses indicated improved child behavior and self-efficacy for managing eczema, but not asthma. Health-related quality of life improved for children, but not parents/families. There were no other significant intervention effects. Intervention outcomes were positive for eczema but not asthma, and did not depend on the extent of father participation in the intervention.

Paternal Risk Factors for Child Maltreatment and Father's Participation in a Primary Prevention Program in Germany

ABSTRACTAcross the globe, the research into the influence of paternal risk and protective factors on the family, as well as on the involvement of fathers in family-related interventions, is lacking. This study utilized 506 families and examined the characteristics of fathers in psychosocially stressed families and associations between paternal risk factors (PRFs: mental health disorder, physical health disorder, young paternity, unemployment, absence of father) and family risk factors (FRFs: problematic financial situation, problematic housing situation, social isolation) for child maltreatment. The identification of PRFs and FRFs was carried out using information from consultations with social education workers and from a risk inventory completed by the mothers. The data analysis revealed an increased incidence of economic problems found in families with fathers having mental health issues, fathers under the age of 22, and unemployed fathers or single mothers. Other factors such as social isolation occurred more often in families with a single mother. The present study underlines the importance of a father's involvement for young families. Future research and program recommendations should always systematically include the father's role in family-related interventions.

Effects of Father’s Parental Efficacy on Children’s School Life: Mediating Role of Father’s Educational Support at Home

Father participation in child rearing is gaining its importance in the field of child development. Previous literature consistently suggests the importance of parental efficacy and educational support on children`s school life. However, studies which that focus exclusively on the role of the father`s role are highly limited. Based on previous literature, we hypothesized that parental efficacy would directly and indirectly affect children`s school life via parental educational support at home. We aimed to expand on the previous literature by exploring the relations within fathers. Participants were 662 fathers whose children attended elementary, middle, and high school. We measured parental efficacy, educational support at home, and their children`s school life were measured. Descriptive statistics were first conducted to investigate the general features of participants as well as the correlations between study variables. The research model was analyzed using structural equation modeling in AMOS 20.0. Results proved the direct effect of father`s parental efficacy on father`s educational support at home as well as children`s school life. Fathers` educational support at home mediated the effect of parental efficacy on children`s school life. Our results suggests that fathers who perceive themselves as efficient parents provides a higher level of educational support at home for their children; consequently, children of those fathers in turn adjust better in school and achieve higher grades. Also, the father`s parental efficacy also indirectly exerts positive effects on children`s school life via heightened educational support at home. An importance of paternal participation and support in child rearing and education was highly suggested. Relevant policy issues regarding paternal educational support were discussed.

Father Participation in Child Psychopathology Research.

The purpose of the current study was two-fold: (1) To examine time trends of the inclusion of fathers in child psychopathology research from 2005 to 2015; and (2) to examine online crowdsourcing as a method to recruit and study fathers. In study 1, findings indicated that, relative to two earlier reviews of father participation from 1984 to 1991 and 1992-2004, there has been limited progress in the inclusion of fathers in child psychopathology research over the last decade. In study 2, without explicit efforts to recruit fathers, almost 40% of a sample of 564 parents recruited from online crowdsourcing (Amazon's Mechanical Turk) were fathers. Major demographic differences did not emerge between mother and father participants and data were equally reliable for mothers and fathers. Fathers were more likely to drop out over the course of a 12-month follow-up but these differences in retention between mothers and fathers were non-significant if fathers were retained at a 2-week follow-up. Finally, family process models tested across four assessments (baseline, 4, 8, and 12month follow-ups) indicated that data from fathers are equally supportive of convergent validity as data from mothers. We concluded that online crowdsourcing is a promising recruitment methodology to increase father participation in child psychopathology research.

THE ROLE OF FATHER IN CHILD CARE IN THE RURAL FAMILY: PROVISION OF MATERIAL NEEDS

The article is part of the research project “Parental relations in rural areas”. The article focuses on a small fragment of the project related to the role of the father in the process of a child’s upbringing. The activities related to the organization of living conditions can be classified as the criteria for determining the participation of parents in childcare. A qualitative analysis of the collected research materials, preceding the theoretical introduction, provides modern knowledge on caring for the child, father's participation in the protection of children's health, cooking for the child, material support for children.

Ojciec w procesie opieki nad dzieckiem w rodzinach wiejskich: opieka zdrowotna

The article constitutes a part of research project entitled «Paternal attitudes in the rural environment». The research presented in this article, based on qualitative methodology, was conducted in nineteen randomly chosen villages of Plock district. 37 respondents participated in it. The purpose was to determine paternal attitudes in a rural environment. The research does not meet the characteristics of representativeness. The collected research material deepens the scientific knowledge of the essence of a given phenomenon rather than its social scope. The data obtained during the analysis were compiled for a number of concepts that scientifically explain the correctness of the behavior and functioning of a man as a father and his attitudes. The social-scientific personality theory of J. Rotter, U. Bronfenbrenner's human ecology theory, the socio-cognitive theory of A. Bandury and the most important theoretical reference to the problem – «Cognitive concept of attitudes» by D. Crech, R.S. Crutchfield, E.L. Ballachey were taken into consideration. The study covered many issues. According to methodological assumptions, the selection of the sample was deliberately - random. This article is devoted to a small fragment about the father in the childcare process. In accordance with the accepted assumptions, childcare is one of the components of the father’s role in the process of parenting. The actions that are linked to organizing the everyday life conditions may be classified as criteria that allow to determine the participation of fathers in childcare processes. The qualitative analysis of collected research material, which is preceded by a theoretical introduction, demonstrates current knowledge on performing first childcare actions, the father’s contribution to the child’s healthcare, preparing meals, and other.

여성 결혼 이민자의 다문화 가정에서 아버지의 양육참여실태와 유아의 어휘력과의 관계

여성 결혼 이민자의 다문화 가정에서 아버지의 양육참여실태와 유아의 어휘력과의 관계

아버지 양육참여에 대한 부모의 인식 비교와 관련 변인 연구

아버지 양육참여에 대한 부모의 인식 비교와 관련 변인 연구

VÍNCULO AFETIVO MATERNO: PROCESSO FUNDAMENTAL À SAÚDE MENTAL

Este artigo apresenta uma pesquisa bibliográfica cujo objetivo foi explorar o direcionamento de pesquisas contemporâneas na temática binária vínculo afetivo materno e saúde mental investigando se, nas suas respectivas formulações teóricas, há uma aproximação com os referenciais da psicanálise. Os dados foram coletados na base do Scientific Electronic Library Online - SciELO, tendo sido utilizadas as palavras-chaves vínculo mãe-bebê, apego, risco e saúde mental. Foram selecionadas as publicações de 2014, em língua portuguesa. A análise dos dados levantados levou à identificação de um direcionamento dos estudos para cinco categorias: fatores de risco e de proteção– tema prevalente, evidenciando preocupação com a integridade física e psíquica da criança e, em especial, do bebê - instrumentos de avaliação destes riscos, bem como às questões que envolvem a subjetividade parental além de um avanço em tema pouco abordado, em geral, nas pesquisas científicas: a importância da participação paterna no desenvolvimento infantil. É comum, entre os estudos analisados, a consideração da primeira fase do desenvolvimento humano como um momento de construção simbólica, a partir de uma vivência de proximidade física e emocional da criança com a mãe, ou pessoa substituta, que exerça a função materna nos primeiros anos de vida do bebê. É prevalente a utilização da psicanálise e de estudos psicanalíticos, sobretudo de Bowlby e Winnicott, como recursos teóricos para o entendimento dos objetos de estudos identificados. A partir das conclusões deste estudo, considera-se de relevância que as políticas de saúde, principalmente as relacionadas à atenção humanizada, deem especial atenção aos cuidados nos períodos da gestação bem como no período peri-natal e pós-natal. Além disso, incentiva-se a que novos estudos possam abordar díades de diferentes arranjos familiares da contemporaneidade - paternidade compartilhada, adoções de bebês por casais homoafetivos, dentre outros.

유아기 자녀를 둔 아버지의 원가족 경험과 어머니의 양육스트레스: 아버지의 양육참여의 매개효과 검증

This study is to examine the relationships between experiences in the family of origin with fathers, parenting participation of fathers, and parenting stress of mothers. The subjects in this study consisted of 203 couples with children of ages 3, 4, and5 attending child care centers in the Gyeong-gi province. The results of this research are summarized as follows. First, experiences in the family of origin with fathers, have meaningful correlations with parenting participation of fathers and parenting stress of mothers. Also, parenting participation of fathers has meaningful correlations with parenting stress of mothers. Second, experiences in the family of origin with fathers have direct/indirect influence on parenting stress of mothers and parenting participation of fathers played a mediating role between the two variables. It is significant that these results give the basic research data for developing aparental education program that can lower parenting stress of mothers by parenting participation of fathers.

Stressors and Barriers to Services for Immigrant Fathers Raising Children with Developmental Disabilities.

This narrative review examines research on the experiences of immigrant fathers raising children with developmental disabilities, and considers the findings within the Canadian context. Applying Green, Johnson & Adams’ (Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 5(3), 101–117, 2006) methodology, a step-by-step process was followed to conduct the review. Four databases (PsychINFO, PubMed, CINAHL and Sociological s) were used for the search. A total of 39 articles were found to be relevant after applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Also 20 articles from published reference lists and peer-reviewed journal articles, located through Google Scholar, complimented the initial search. Along with House’s (1981) four dimensions of social support, an intersectional approach underpinned the analysis of findings. Four themes were identified which included: economic challenges, social influences, cultural influences, and the changing gender roles of fathers. Stressors and barriers to accessing health services in the post-migration setting were examined. Based on the review’s findings, the paper recommends 1) addressing income inequality, 2) improving access to health care, social and developmental services, 3) improving cultural-sensitivity of health care, social and developmental services, and 4) increasing participation of fathers. Overall, a more systemic understanding of immigrant fathers’ experiences is called for, taking into account their multiple social locations.