Enhancing Parenting Skills Among Nonresident African American Fathers as a Strategy for Preventing Youth Risky Behaviors

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a theoretically based, culturally specific family intervention designed to prevent youth risky behaviors by influencing the parenting attitudes and behaviors of nonresident African American fathers and the parent-child interactions, intentions to avoid violence, and aggressive behaviors of their preadolescent sons. A sample of 158 intervention and 129 comparison group families participated. ANCOVA results indicated that the intervention was promising for enhancing parental monitoring, communication about sex, intentions to communicate, race-related socialization practices, and parenting skills satisfaction among fathers. The intervention was also beneficial for sons who reported more monitoring by their fathers, improved communication about sex, and increased intentions to avoid violence. The intervention was not effective in reducing aggressive behaviors among sons. Findings are discussed from a family support perspective, including the need to involve nonresident African American fathers in youth risky behavior prevention efforts.

Preliminary Efficacy of an Intervention to Reduce Psychosocial Stress and Improve Coping in Low-Income Families

“…Existing relationship and parenting services geared content-and deliverywise to women are clearly insufficient. These findings lend additional support to calls for father-and meninclusive parenting and relationship services (Caldwell et al 2010). Other intervention benefits were primarily found for women in the couples and women's groups.…”

A Qualitative Analysis of Father–Son Relationships among HIV-Positive Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…Evidence-based interventions have successfully strengthened relationships between black fathers and sons in other settings 18,28 ; similar programs may provide a promising direction for future health-promotion efforts with YBMSM.…”

“…Importantly, non-resident fathers can also be partners in prevention, and effective interventions have strengthened relationships between nonresident fathers and adolescent sons as a risk-reduction strategy. 18 Dichotomous, cross-sectional studies (e.g., Census data) looking only at co-residence will often underestimate father involvement, particularly for black non-resident fathers, who have been shown to have more contact with their children than non-resident fathers of other races. 19,20 Other work has highlighted the intricacies of father-child relationships in youth from diverse ethnic backgrounds and shown that youth derive benefit from contact that is not only frequent but also involves various activities, communication, and emotional closeness.…”

Fathers’ Roles in the Care and Development of Their Children: The Role of Pediatricians

“…24 Interventions with nonresident black fathers designed to prevent risky youth behaviors by preschool-aged children showed some success in paternal monitoring and intentions to avoid violence but no effect on reducing aggressive behavior. 90 Black fathers involved in raising their preschool-aged children note unique concerns about keeping their children safe in violent neighborhoods and seek strategies for monitoring and educating children about safety and ways to improve community life. 91 Pediatric health care providers should be aware that, although black fathers are indeed eager to learn about child rearing, researchers report they prefer to receive information from relatives or community-based organizations rather than from health care providers, 92 so making connections within the community may be the best way to reach fathers and families.…”