Reflections on Theory and Outcome Measures for Fatherhood Programs

Fagan, Jay; Kaufman, Rebecca

doi:10.1606/1044-3894.2015.96.19

Cited by 20 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Second, the measure of fathers' positive engagement used in this study assessed the frequency of fathers' involvement in developmentally appropriate activities with children at one point in time. The validity of frequency measures for nonresident fathers is unclear (Fagan & Kaufman, ), which influenced our decision to focus on resident fathers in the present study, which in turn narrows the generalizability of our findings. Also, the observed quality of father–child interaction was not measured in the FFCWS.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Resident Fathers' Positive Engagement, Family Poverty, and Change in Child Behavior Problems

Lee

Schoppe‐Sullivan

2017

Family Relations

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Objective To investigate the role of fathers' positive engagement as a protective factor in the development of children's behavior problems and whether this buffering effect differs by family poverty status. Background Children who have behavior problems at early ages are more likely to show persistent behavior problems over time. Fathers' roles in the development and persistence of child behavior problems have been less investigated than mothers' roles. Method Longitudinal survey data from 762 constant‐resident‐father families participating in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study were used. Mothers reported on children's internalizing and externalizing behavior problems when the focal child was 5 and 9 years of age, and fathers reported on their frequency of positive engagement with children at child age 5. Data were analyzed using moderated moderation regression analyses. Results Children living in greater family poverty at age 5 showed more internalizing and externalizing behavior problems at age 9, but greater positive engagement by fathers weakened the association between family poverty and children's later behavior problems. Moreover, fathers' positive engagement appeared to disrupt continuity in internalizing behavior problems from early to middle childhood for children in families living below the poverty level. Conclusion Fathers' positive engagement may serve as a protective factor for children's social–emotional development. Implications Emphasizing fathers' positive engagement in prevention and intervention programs designed to lower children's risk for behavior problems may have potential value.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Resident Fathers' Positive Engagement, Family Poverty, and Change in Child Behavior Problems

Lee

Schoppe‐Sullivan

2017

Family Relations

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“…We also point to the importance of conceptual work in developing theoretical frameworks to inform programme design and shed light on evaluation data (Fagan & Kaufman 2015). Our review has revealed that few father-related measures are used in the evaluation of divorce-related parenting programmes, and where they are present, they are not necessarily reported on.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evaluators, researchers, and practitioners alike will need to ask ‘What counts for positive change in relation to fathering? How do we measure and understand the effects of positive father involvement for children, families, and communities?’ Efforts to improve the quality of father‐related indictors both for research and programme evaluation have been initiated in the USA through the Fatherhood Research and Practice Network (Fagan & Kaufman ).…”

Section: Need For Father‐related Indicatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are interventions supporting separated parents father inclusive? Insights and challenges from a review of programme implementation and impact

Philip

O′Brien

2016

Child & Family Social Work

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This paper reviews divorce-related parenting programmes, assessing the extent to which fathers are included and whether father inclusion influences outcomes. The paper also discusses limitations of the research evidence and implications for future intervention and evaluation design. Thirteen programmes met the criteria in the review period 2005–2012 but only four had been evaluated using randomized control trials or with independent measures from mothers and fathers. Analysis of these four programmes shows modest evidence of reduced couple-conflict, improved coparenting and some evidence of improved child outcomes. Key issues raised are the need for improving the quantity and quality of demographic data about fathers; the importance of incorporating analysis by gender of parent into evaluation design and the value of developing and routinely using father-related indicators to measure programme impact on men’s parenting, fathering and co-parental relationships

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“…A newer body of research examining father engagement among a low-income, nonresident population suggests that these fathers also play an important role in their children's development. Furthermore, nonresident, low-income fathers face unique challenges (Arditti, 1992;Edin & Nelson, 2013) that may predispose them to experiencing a multitude of risk factors associated with less competency in parenting (Cabrera, Fagan, Wight, & Schadler, 2011;Harper & Fine, 2006); they may also experience difficulties enacting a parenting role (Fagan & Kaufman, 2015;King & Sobolewski, 2006). However, although research has shown positive effects of engagement on resident and nonresident children, it is reasonable to expect that resident and nonresident fathers will engage in different fathering activities (or that the underlying structure of involvement differs) because nonresident fathers often do not have daily contact with their children (Cabrera et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services currently encourages programs to partner with researchers as well as to use measures that are culturally sensitive (Fagan & Kaufman, 2015). We believe this measure to be the first that has been validated for nonresident fathers with children in different age groups.…”

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confidence: 99%

Measures of Father Engagement for Nonresident Fathers

et al. 2018

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Objective To develop reliable and valid measures of nonresident father engagement. Background Although engagement measures exist for resident fathers, they have not been validated for nonresident fathers. Without valid and reliable measures, research on and programs for these fathers are limited in their ability to capture this salient dimension of fathering. Method From a focus group of 71 nonresident biological fathers, father–child engagement scales were created. Separate scales were created for fathers of children aged 0 to 1 years, 1 to 5 years, 6 to 11 years, and 12 to 18 years. Scales were administered to 542 nonresident (primarily low income) fathers to test reliability and convergent and predictive validity. Results Analyses identified a “caregiving play” domain of engagement across all age groups. For fathers of children 0 to 1 years, a “cognitive stimulation” domain emerged. For all age groups, a “support” domain emerged. All measures had acceptable reliability and (except in 1 instance) were related to at least 1 validity construct. Measures were nonequivalent across groups except for support in 2 groups. Conclusion Measures of nonresident father engagement had good reliability and validity. Further, with a minimal number of items, the scales are relatively easy and cost‐effective to administer. Implications With reliable and valid measures of engagement, those researching or intervening with nonresident fathers can more accurately capture this highly relevant construct.

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Reflections on Theory and Outcome Measures for Fatherhood Programs

Cited by 20 publications

References 22 publications

Resident Fathers' Positive Engagement, Family Poverty, and Change in Child Behavior Problems

Resident Fathers' Positive Engagement, Family Poverty, and Change in Child Behavior Problems

Are interventions supporting separated parents father inclusive? Insights and challenges from a review of programme implementation and impact

Measures of Father Engagement for Nonresident Fathers

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