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Midwives are in an optimum position to address the mental health of new fathers and paternal perinatal mental health is a recognised concern. However, the mechanisms that exist to recognise, escalate and intervene appropriately are limited in scope and effectiveness. Screening tools may have the potential to identify fathers at risk of postpartum depression, but they are limited in sensitivity and specificity, meaning that when there may be deterioration in a partner's mental health, diagnosis may not follow. This has implications for the health and wellbeing of the family, especially if male partners are relied upon as the mainstay of emotional and social support for women in the early postnatal period. To actualise strategies to address these issues, changes in policy, education and practice are required. Recommendations for research, education and patient engagement are made to assure early intervention and to ensure that emotional and social support in the family is optimised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study of fathers has gained significant traction over recent decades. However, the experience for men over the transition to parenthood remains focused on high‐socioeconomic and socially advantaged fathers. Researchers have yet to thoroughly investigate how fathers may uniquely experience this transition period with a history of childhood maltreatment, given that childhood abuse is known to impact several components of development and relationship functioning into adulthood. The current study endeavored to fill this gap by evaluating the associations between fathers' childhood experiences of physical and emotional abuse and their relationship functioning over the transition to parenthood in terms of both the couple relationship and social adjustment in relationships with others. Using data from 399 fathers who participated in a randomized control trial during pregnancy, the results from stepwise regressions indicate fathers with a history of emotional abuse experience particular declines in their external relationships (reductions in social support and increases in social stress) from prenatal (Wave 1) to postpartum (Wave 2) reports. However, no significant association emerged between fathers' history of maltreatment and their relationship functioning with their partners. These results underscore the importance of investigating the impact of different types of abuse on men in fatherhood. Moreover, we emphasize the need to study further fathers' social adjustment over the transition to parenthood beyond the couple relationship and broad social support to address the needs of men with a history of maltreatment in their new role as fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fatherhood is a significant transition in a man's life, introducing new challenges. Yet men's experiences of this period remain poorly understood. Occupational therapists possess skills and knowledge to support individuals during transition. This study explored the experiences of men during the transition to fatherhood over the first postnatal year. Method: Underpinned by an occupational therapy theoretical perspective, a systematic review was conducted. Following searches of databases: AMED, CINAHL, Medline and PsycINFO, qualitative studies meeting selection criteria were retrieved and quality assessed. Data was extracted and synthesised using an established meta-ethnographic approach. Findings: Seven articles were included in the review. Four interconnected themes: (1) A New Occupational Identity, (2) Relationship Changes, (3) Challenges and Impact, (4) Unmet Occupational Needs, and four subthemes: Roles and Responsibilities, and Adjusting Priorities (theme 1); An Emotional Journey and Exhaustion (theme 3) were identified. Discussion: Fathers' postnatal transitional experiences were reflective of a journey of adjustment and growth. Experiences indicated the requirement for greater support of fathers throughout the antenatal and postnatal transition. Occupational therapists have the skills to work with fathers to balance occupations, manage fatigue and adjust to new roles. Further research should focus on understanding experiences of men in under-represented groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report addresses the author's experience providing nursing care to a 37-year-old patient diagnosed with multiple myeloma requiring regular renal dialysis due to disease progression who received autologous stem cell transplantation. The patient was diagnosed with cancer in young adulthood and, as a father figure, faced various psychological issues associated with the unexpected challenges encountered during their treatment phase. Psychosocial health, which is closely associated with quality of life in patients with cancer, has gained increasing attention in recent years. The limited research published on the subject of fathers diagnosed with cancer encouraged the author to detail her experience with this case. The care period was from August 5th to August 19th, 2022. During the care period, the Gordons's 11 functional health assessment was applied, with potentially severe infections, coping disorders, anxiety, potential risk of injury existing or potential nutritional deficiencies, oral mucosal changes, and diarrhea identified as the primary health problems of concern. Nursing interventions applied included providing protective isolation measures to prevent post-transplant infection, helping the patient learn effective ways to cope with emotional distress, and providing comprehensive follow-up care information and health education to alleviate the anxiety associated with hospital discharge and life after discharge. The challenges of providing nursing care to adolescent and young adult patients differ significantly from those faced in the care of either elderly or pediatric patients. Furthermore, although extensive research has been conducted on mothers diagnosed with cancer, little research has addressed the impact on the paternal role when fathers are diagnosed with cancer, with limited information available regarding their psychological concerns and issues or the impact on family dynamics. The author hopes this case care experience offers an insightful reference and guide for nursing practice that contributes to a better understanding of the psychological aspects of young adult fathers diagnosed with cancer and facilitates more appropriate care in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contains thoughts on the journey a man undertakes when he becomes the father to a newborn child, and on the difficulties he faces. Drawing on both psychoanalytic theory and clinical experience the author considers the journey to fatherhood men undertake, exploring the need for them to tolerate change and loneliness as they support and protect the new mother-infant dyad. While infantile anxieties of abandonment may be aroused, the importance of the father's role in the newly established family is emphasised, particularly in relation to the child finding their own identity. Throughout the paper, parallels are drawn between the role of the father and the role of psychoanalyst or psychotherapist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mixed-methods study explores an innovative online group intervention for new fathers. The specific aims were to investigate attendance rates, fathers' participation experiences, and the effects on their psychological well-being and marital quality. The research design included a randomized controlled trial with 122 participants split into intervention (n = 62) and comparison groups (n = 60). The study measured post-partum depression symptoms (PPD) using the Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale (EPDS) and spousal relationship quality using the Israeli Marital Quality Scale (IMQS). Qualitative data were collected through session transcripts and feedback questionnaires that were completed two years post- intervention. Results reveal an 86.47% average attendance rate in the intervention groups and positive outcomes at both individual and spousal levels. Participants reported feeling a sense of normalcy, decreased loneliness, increased awareness of fatherhood transition, and becoming active co-parents. Marital quality also showed better results for the intervention group. Further research is recommended to explore online group interventions among additional groups of post-partum fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the historical context of South Africa, fathers are largely considered the breadwinner, an ideology linked to financial affordability. The breadwinner title may be a masculine boost for some but denotes a sense of disempowerment for those without financial muscle. This is especially true for young black South African fathers who are still confronting socio-historical challenges including continued high levels of unemployment. This qualitative study sought to explore how young black fathers perceive and understand fatherhood based on their individual experiences and given their socio-historical and cultural challenges. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Eight participants were selected through non-probability purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data with the foundation of a family systems theoretical framework. Findings indicated that the perception of fatherhood is constructed through (a) financial insecurity, (b) (un)expectancy and psychological distress, (c) shared responsibility, (d) cultural dynamics and (e) a renewed sense of self meaning. The study has added value in ensuring that the voices of young black fathers are captured through their lived experiences. The findings suggest that much investment is still required to understand the different angles and dynamics of young black fathers in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative evidence synthesis informs intervention development by systematically searching, evaluating and synthesizing qualitative studies on fatherhood in the context of heavy drinking and other substance use. We searched seven databases, grey literature and reference lists to identify eligible studies. Our international sample includes 156 fathers of different ages, cultural backgrounds and family living arrangements across 14 unique studies. The lead author applied thematic synthesis to develop the themes, in an ongoing dialogue with team members. Our understanding of fatherhood in the context of heavy drinking and other substance use is communicated through six themes. Fathers' heavy drinking and other substance use can be understood as a method of emotional coping. Fathers' substance use choices are intertwined with their social contexts from childhood to adulthood. Being a safe presence in children's lives is a potentially overlooked aspect of fathers' substance use interventions. In our qualitative evidence synthesis, we observed the pivotal role of supportive relationships in fathers' substance use trajectories. We recommend co-produced intervention development that considers both fathers as individuals and as members of social networks. This is relevant across statutory, community and voluntary sector settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Alcoholism & Drug Addiction / Alkoholizm i Narkomania is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this study was to describe the impact of COVID-19 on fatherhood experiences during pregnancy. A semi-structured interview guide was developed to collect qualitative data from fathers about their experiences in pregnancy and prenatal care, how they communicated with providers, strategies for information seeking, and social support they received during the pregnancy. One-time, virtual interviews were conducted via Zoom with fathers that were either expecting a baby or fathers who had a baby after March 2020 and were 18 years or older. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes that highlighted the fatherhood experience. In total, 34 interviews with new or expectant fathers were completed. Two central themes that highlight the experiences of fathers: missed opportunities to shift toward family-centered care and inequity in the parent dyad during pregnancy. Additional supporting themes included: limited patient-provider relationship, lack of telemedicine use, inadequate uncertainty management for parents, unidirectional information sharing between parents, and limited opportunities for achieving role attainment during pregnancy. The COVID-19 pandemic created a decision point for prenatal care. Instead of focusing on family-centered practices, prenatal care exclusively centered on the mother and fetus, resulting in problematic experiences for fathers including limited access to information about the pregnancy and health of the mother and fetus, heightened stress related to COVID-19 safety requirements, and few opportunities to attain their role as a father. Prenatal care should actively seek robust strategies to improve family-centered care practices that will withstand the next public health emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The first 2000 days of life are a crucial and opportunistic time to promote positive dietary and physical activity behaviours that can continue throughout life. The bulk of research on the impact of parents promoting positive dietary and physical activity behaviours has been on mothers, with the impact of fathers rarely investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate fathers' perceived role, self-efficacy and support needs in promoting positive dietary and physical activity behaviours in early childhood. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed methods study design consisted of a cross sectional survey of Australian fathers (n = 200) from a convenience sample, followed by semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 21) with a purposeful sample of Australian fathers. Results: Quantitative survey data revealed that more than 90.0% of fathers agreed that it is important to role model healthy eating and participating in physical activity with their babies, toddlers and children. A majority of fathers were confident in getting their child to eat fruit/ vegetables (90%) and playing with their child (80%). When searching for information about nutrition and physical activity, the highest proportion of fathers nominated online sources (52%) as their preferred source in survey data. Qualitative interview data revealed that while fathers exhibited high self-efficacy in their abilities, this was susceptible to deterioration due to feelings of isolation, pressures of fatherhood, a lack of information and resources that are father specific, and difficulties navigating the different types of information/resources to find what is right for them. Conclusions: Although possessing self-efficacy, being committed and seeking knowledge, many fathers found that useful information was hard to find and understand. Appropriate resources are therefore required to support the specific needs of fathers to promote positive dietary and physical activity behaviours in their infants and young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this review, the authors collected and demonstrated evidence concerning the effect of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and its treatment options on fertility in male patients. This became increasingly important as we began observing this disease in younger adults. We provide an overview and draw conclusions regarding different medications and treatment options and how these may affect the ability to conceive. This information is crucial for healthcare workers and patients, as it must be disclosed to patients when starting them on one of these agents. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), while traditionally a disease of the elderly, has recently risen in incidence among younger patients. Hence, fertility concerns have emerged considering the disease process and treatments, especially with the current scarce and conflicting recommendations. This review explores the impact of CML treatments including the first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and other treatments on male fertility in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. The aim of this review was to compile the available evidence on male fertility to ultimately tailor treatment plans for male CML patients for whom fertility and future chances for conception pose a concern. The data available on the conventional and newer TKIs to address fertility concerns were reviewed, particularly the potential long- and short-term effects. Also, the possible side effects on subsequent generations were a crucial focus point of this review to reach a more comprehensive CML management approach. We found and compared the evidence on TKIs approved to treat CML. We also reported the effects of hydroxyurea, interferon, and transplantation, which are considered second-line treatments. Our findings suggest that these drugs might have an undiscovered effect on fertility. More research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is essential to solidify our understanding of these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Empirical research on transgender individuals and their families is growing but investigations of attitudes toward trans parents are sparse. This gap is especially important to address because transgender parents face unique strains due to their violations of hetero-cis-normativity and the "Mom and Dad = Cis Woman + Cis Man" stereotype. Methods: Using a sample of adults aged 18-64 stratified by U.S. census categories of age, gender, race/ethnicity and census region collected from online panelists (N = 2,948), this study provides an intersectional investigation of Norm-Centered Stigma Theory (NCST) with hetero-cis-normativity (a system of norms, privilege, and oppression that situates heterosexual cisgender people above all others) as the centralized overarching concept that helps us to understand negativity directed toward transgender parents. Specifically, social power axes including gender identity (cisgender woman, cisgender man, nonbinary; trans people were excluded from the current study), sexual identity (heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual), and interactions among these axes of social power are investigated. Results: Findings indicate that hetero-cis-normativity is strongly related to negativity toward trans mothers and fathers and that there is overall greater stigma toward trans dads when compared to trans moms. In addition, gender, sexual identity, and interactions among these experiences of social power have complex relationships with the stigmatization of trans parents. Conclusion: Results provide support for the use of Norm-Centered Stigma Theory to help us best understand the constellation of hostilities directed toward trans people and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Fathers' mental health, parenting practices and co-parenting relationships have a powerful effect on child development. The paucity of research on the parenting strengths and support needs of fathers of children across childhood and adolescence compels the current study addressing the parenting experiences of a large sample of fathers of birth to 18-year-old children. OBJECTIVE: The study aims address: (1) differences in the views of mothers and fathers regarding their parenting practices, sense of parenting efficacy, mental health and the co-parenting relationship; (2) investigation of factors affecting fathers' mental health; (3) exploration of fathers' views about the co-parenting relationship; and (4) examination of influences on fathers' parenting. METHODS: The study involves secondary analysis of data collected from the first wave of the Australian Parenting Today in Victoria study, conducted in 2016 (N = 2600 mothers and fathers) involving 1044 fathers (40% of the sample) recruited through random dialling of landline and mobile numbers to produce a representative sample of parents of children 0–18 years. RESULTS: Results demonstrate a positive picture of fathering at a population level - most reported (a) high levels of parenting self-efficacy, (b) using positive parenting strategies, (c) talking to their children directly when their children experience problems, and (d) feeling supported by their parenting partner in their role as fathers. Nevertheless, important areas of need are identified. Fathers' reports of mental health challenges were associated with reduced parenting sense of efficacy and reduced opportunities for positive father-child interactions. While most fathers reported good partner support, this was often in contrast to mothers' views. CONCLUSIONS: These results from one of the largest surveys of fathers of its kind provide credible insights into the experiences and support needs of fathers, with clear implications for policy makers and service providers responsible for designing and delivering supports for fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the experiences of Ugandan men in their roles as fathers, with a particular focus on perceptions related to fathering roles. Our investigation was motivated by research findings indicating a link between fathering norms and masculine gender roles and ideologies, coupled with literature that has found associations between masculinity threat and substance use, as well as suicidal ideation. The data are from semistructured qualitative interviews conducted with Ugandan fathers. A total of 24 men participated in the study, 12 residing in Uganda and 12 residing in the United States of America. All participants were fathers of at least one child. We identified themes of financial provision, negotiating change in fathering ideals, influence of child gender, influence of sociocultural context, and stress, worry, and anxiety across the data. Our findings indicate that Ugandan men have complex experiences related to fathering, including tensions that are tied to traditional fathering ideals at times and, in other instances, are connected to changing ideals of fatherhood. These findings build on extant literature about men's fathering experiences and contribute to including African, and specifically, Ugandan men and their experiences in the scholarly discourse on fathering. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed. Public Significance Statement: This study discovered that there are specific factors that are of high relevance for men in their role as fathers, namely, financial provision, negotiation of change in fathering ideals, sociocultural context, child gender, and stress, worry, and anxiety. It centers on the experiences and perspectives of Ugandan fathers living in Uganda and in the United States, thus expanding our understanding of fathering in diverse settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of fatherhood among fathers of high-risk neonates and their confidence regarding neonatal care. Methods: A study was conducted of 100 fathers whose neonates had been admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for at least 48 hours. Perceptions of fatherhood, neonatal characteristics, and fathers' confidence regarding neonatal care were measured using a self-reported questionnaire. The survey took approximately 10 minutes to complete and was completed anonymously. The factors that affected fathers' confidence regarding neonatal care were analyzed using multiple regression. Results: The scores for positive and negative perceptions of fatherhood were relatively high at 4.27 and 3.42 out of 5 points, respectively. A positive perception of fatherhood was found to influence fathers' confidence regarding neonatal care. Conclusion: NICU nurses should encourage fathers to effectively perform their parenting roles by implementing educational programs and interventions to promote positive perceptions of fatherhood and fathers' confidence regarding neonatal care after discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Shifts in the rates of divorce, marriage, and childbirth are accompanied by shifts in rates of diverse family structures. The science to date is mixed on the predictors of father involvement among unwed fathers: The current study investigated the impact of smaller system predictors on the paternal satisfaction of African American noncustodial fathers' (NCFs) paternal involvement. Methods: 163 noncustodial with and without multipartnered fertility were selected for study. Results: The study authors investigated the extent to which offspring status (whether they only have children with the custodial parent without multipartnered fertility; or have other children with other mothers, which is multipartnered fertility, has on the duration of their relationship with the custodial parent before their child was conceived, and after their child was conceived. Additionally, the current study seeks to determine whether offspring status impacts NCFs overall parental involvement satisfaction levels. Discussion: Future research on practice with unwed fathers with children with different partners is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing research interest in the experiences of new fathers taking paternity leave, but less insight into men's experiences of returning to work after the birth of their first baby. For many men in the UK context, this could take place immediately after the birth or after one or two weeks of paternity leave. This paper utilizes data from a UK-based study whilst also drawing on international literature and policy contexts. A constructivist grounded theory method was adopted to generate theory from the data gathered. Twelve new fathers shared their experiences in this study by participating in audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews. This paper focuses on fathers' experiences of negotiating the workplace as part of an overall theoretical framework related to broader transitions to fatherhood and sheds light on the distress, guilt and psychological challenges that the participants experienced when they initially returned to work. Whether fathers did or did not explicitly describe distress at this time, they all described a change in their worker identity, which for some participants led to uncertainty in the workplace. Men returning to work at this time in the postnatal period are vulnerable to experiencing distress. Flexibility and support in the workplace could be protective of their mental health. Finally, policy and practice developments are offered to support men's transitions to fatherhood in the workplace context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the emotional changes and reactions men experience in their transition to fatherhood. Design: This study used a qualitative design. Methods: Data were collected through in‐depth interviews with 13 Norwegian fathers. Results: Through thematic analysis, three main themes were developed: (1) from self‐focus to family perspective; (2) emotional vulnerability; and (3) from insecurity to self‐assurance. The themes describe fathers' emotional process during the child's first year of life, ranging from positive feelings like affection and mastery, to challenging feelings like exclusion, jealousy and exhaustion. Many fathers describe taboos and shame over their own emotional reactions, although these can be considered a natural part of the postnatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Black fathers with histories of incarceration and trauma have multiple stressors that interfere with their ability to navigate life in the community, parent their children, and develop self-parenting skills that promote the healthy regulation of their emotions. The origins of these stressors are connected to racism, masculine stereotypes, and histories of trauma. Improving these skills has the potential to put fathers in control of their response to life distress instead of feeling controlled by it. This study sought to examine the Evidence Informed Fatherhood Program (EIFP) and its efficacy as defined by the rates of recidivism, parental engagement, life distress, emotional regulation, and basic needs attainment. The sample comprised 551 fathers (N = 551), most of whom were Black (n = 534), drawn from administrative data from Father's UpLift. The study examined the effectiveness of the program by studying the change in scores at three points in time, namely during the baseline entry into the program, and three and six months after entry. Findings: The baseline findings showed that about 95% of all participants needed assistance with basic needs, including obtaining housing, employment, and bank accounts. The results showed a statistically significant and dramatic decrease in life distress scores and an equally dramatic increase in emotional regulation scores. Applications: The findings show that EIFP is effective in helping Black fathers gain self-parenting skills, address the trauma they experience as Black men in a racialized society, and reduce recidivism among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latino youth are more likely to live under the poverty line and to become adolescent parents. Although research exists examining adolescent mothers, less is known about adolescent fathers, particularly Latino adolescent fathers. Much of what does exist uses a deficit lens, as opposed to one of strength and resilience. Although adolescent fathers sometimes do struggle in their transition to fatherhood, it is critical to understand the positive ways in which they adapt. The present study uses in-depth interviews and applies the vulnerability-stress-adaptation (VSA) model to understand parental adaptation processes among a sample of low-income Latino adolescent fathers (N = 11). Despite economic vulnerability, including low income and limited resources, fathers' aspirations to provide for their children served as an adaptive mechanism. These aspirations were influenced by the quality of their relationship with the mother of their children as well as by cultural influences from their families-of-origin. Findings indicated the importance of a positive, holistic family experience that includes cultural notions of familism. By identifying the processes by which adolescent fathers experience vulnerabilities, stress, and adaptation to those stressors, it is possible to develop and implement culturally responsive and strengths-based services and policies to better support their transition, including those related to job readiness, relationship education, and family involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This qualitative study explores the experiences and perceptions of new and expectant First Nations fathers in an urban setting in Australia. Background: Little is known about the experiences of First Nations men as fathers, including their transition to fatherhood and their strengths and challenges as fathers. Method: Eight First Nations men who were expectant or new fathers participated in individual yarning interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive phenomenological analysis. Results: Men perceived a father to be a protector, provider and someone who reflects on how to be a better father. To be a better father, men were trying to heal and learn from their past and build their identity as a father, while managing the stress of fatherhood. Conclusion: The study identified four strategies to support new First Nations fathers: (a) create gathering places for men to connect with and learn from other dads, (b) maternity and early childhood services should be inclusive of men and their role as fathers, (c) clinical intervention and supportive pathways into fatherhood, and (d) promote and celebrate the strengths and roles of First Nations fathers. Implications: Maternity and early childhood services can better support First Nations men in their transition to fatherhood by being more responsive to their needs and inclusive of their important role in child development and strengthening the family unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary: Some parents with learning difficulties are supported by child welfare in raising their child. Many mothers and fathers with learning difficulties have their child removed.This paper is the first published research about being a mother and being father with learning difficulties in Austria. There is not enough good quality support for parents with learning difficulties in Austria.We interviewed six mothers and five fathers with learning difficulties and asked them about who supports them and how. We also asked them what it means to them to be a mother or a father.Most parents said that they get the wrong support and are being checked on by child welfare. One mother said that she gets very helpful support.Being a mother with learning difficulties is different to being a father with learning difficulties. Mothers who have lived with their child feel that they are the main caregivers, but fathers sometimes feel excluded from their child's life. Background: Many parents with learning difficulties face high rates of child welfare intervention and child removal. In contrast to other high‐income countries, there has not been any published research on the lives of mothers and fathers with learning difficulties from an Austrian perspective. After presenting an insight into the international literature and the Austrian context, original empirical findings relevant to providing professional support for parents with learning difficulties are introduced. Method: As part of a larger qualitative study, ten individual parents with learning difficulties (six mothers and four fathers) were interviewed to gain insight into their experience of motherhood and fatherhood. During the interviews, participants were asked to visualise their social networks through network maps that were then included into analyses. The current paper primarily engages with parents' experience of professional practice based on a hermeneutic analysis of latent and manifest meanings. Findings: The study results reinforce the relevance of social networks, including (a lack of) professional parenting support, and gendered parental self‐understandings in relation to barriers for parents with learning difficulties in Austria. Parents often experienced surveillance from child welfare professionals and referred to "being checked on" as well as receiving "the wrong support". Only one study participant experienced the (flexible and self‐determined) support provided to her family as helpful. Mothers and fathers with learning difficulties face, at times, quite different challenges in the parenting role. The findings highlight a maternal self‐understanding as being primarily responsible for their child, while fathers often felt excluded from their child's life. Conclusions: Support services need to acknowledge the relevance of gendered parenting roles and intersections of multidimensional disadvantages. The parenting support currently available to mothers and fathers with learning difficulties (if available at all) needs radical improvement and nationwide support structures need to be installed in collaboration with families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among Black American emerging adult men (∼aged 18–25), the early transition to fatherhood is often marred by numerous contextual stressors related to racial discrimination and socioeconomic instability. The strain of transitioning to fatherhood while experiencing high levels of contextual stress may evidence escalations in substance misuse over time as men may turn to substances to cope with the stress of complex life transitions. However, research examining these associations are scarce. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of contextual stress on the association between fatherhood and substance misuse. Hypotheses were tested using multiple linear regression with 3 waves of data from 476 Black American men aged 19 to 22 at baseline living in resource-poor communities in the rural South. Results: Results demonstrated that fatherhood status was associated, prospectively, with Black American fathers' substance misuse when exposure to contextual stress was high but not low. Conclusions: Findings underscore the need for substance misuse prevention programs to (a) support Black American fathers in coping with race-related stress and (b) integrate robust socioeconomic stability services in order in disrupt patterns of future substance misuse by improving Black American men's experience of the transition to fatherhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant research highlights the importance of early paternal engagement for children and families. Thus, there is strong support for the exploration of predictors of low-income father engagement. Informed by Belsky's process model of parenting, this study explores contextual determinants of father–infant engagement (i.e., verbal engagement, physical play, and caregiving) including the unique contributions of the child, the father, and the broader social context. We utilized survey data from a sample of 183 non-residential, cohabitating, and married low-income fathers of infants participating in a home-visiting intervention. Results demonstrated that infant age was associated with increased caregiving and verbal engagement, fathers' total work hours were negatively correlated with verbal engagement, fathers' depressive symptoms were linked to increased physical play, and the quality of the coparenting alliance was related to physical play and caregiving. Findings may inform programs designed to promote paternal engagement during infancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TRUE Dads, a federally funded Responsible Fatherhood intervention, aims to strengthen three of men's key roles in the family: (1) as fathers, building and maintaining positive engagement with their child; (2) as partners, maintaining a positive relationship with their co‐parent; and (3) as providers, through fostering employment and economic self‐sufficiency. A feature of the program is that low‐income fathers and their co‐parenting partners participate together in 6 3‐hour group workshops, followed by optional participation in an additional 6 3‐hour workshops. Fathers in the intervention condition were offered a chance to participate in a 2‐week employment program. 1,042 co‐parenting teams were recruited and randomly assigned to TRUE Dads' group intervention (60%) or a no‐treatment control group (40%). In analyses of single measures, one year after study entry, compared with no‐treatment controls, TRUE Dads program participants reported fewer depressive symptoms, less destructive couple communication and domestic violence, and increased employment for fathers. Using expanded latent variable measures of core constructs, Structural Equation Modeling revealed indirect effects of the intervention, in which reductions in both parents' negative symptoms and destructive couple communication were associated with (a) reductions in negative parenting qualities and children's behavior problems and (b) increases in fathers' economic self‐sufficiency. Reducing parents' personal distress and improving relationship quality between co‐parents appears to be important to enhancing fathers' positive family engagement. From a family policy perspective, the results suggest that integration rather than separation of healthy marriage, responsible fatherhood, and employment programs could provide synergistic power to programs designed to strengthen low‐income families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent scholarship has viewed fatherhood from a variety of angles of encounter. In this paper studies that focus on the trope of authoritarian fatherhood in the Arab World were reviewed; extensive variability emerged as to what constitutes authoritarian parenting as well as how it is experienced by children. The authors conclude that current scholarship supports the notion of emergent fatherhood as suggested by Inhorn (2012, 2016) and explore the implications of this concept for the study of childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Becoming a first‐time father is an important transition period in men's lives that is frequently accompanied by joy and happiness. Engaging fathers has a broader impact on family and community and on fathers' own well‐being. This study explores the process of men becoming first‐time fathers and the experiences and challenges involved. Seventeen interviews with men in different stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period were conducted. Through a grounded theory design, a novel four‐stage theoretical model emerged that represents the journey to first‐time fatherhood. These stages are beginning the journey, fatherhood in limbo, facing reality, and settling down. Participants suggested that achieving a new normality was the final stage where they finally felt located with a sense of mastery in their journey to fatherhood. The novel theoretical approach of addressing the process of men's transition allowed more complete access to their perspectives. Men's needs are different at every phase of the transition to fatherhood, and the use of these findings can help care providers in caring for every man according to the stage he is facing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the psychological self-sufficiency (PSS) process among low-income men participating in the Transforming Impossible into Possible (TIP) program and explore the implications of TIP as a fatherhood intervention. Sample from 324 men participating in a community-based fatherhood initiative and four local job training programs in a large Midwestern city was used to examine the group differences in PSS as it relates to economic self-sufficiency (ESS). Men in the fatherhood TIP program and those in the general TIP program had significantly greater relationships between PSS and ESS than those in the non-TIP comparison group. Results provide implications for social work practice with African American fathers in programs that address fatherhood. While traditional fatherhood programs approach mending fathers' deficiencies, TIP allowed them to discover strengths from being broken and beaten up to authentically invest in their own lives and their children's. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective and Background: Men's experiences of first-fatherhood discovery differ widely with various circumstances; they were examined according to the intended/unintended occurrence of partner's pregnancy. Methods: An Associative Network study targeted 44 first-time fathers and analysed their reactions to a stimulus-sentence 'In the first days after pregnancy announcement ... ' Results: Word-associations formed 19 themes and 5 metathemes. The main metathemes were Emotional (30%), Cognitive (27%) and Relational (23%). Negative emotions were more frequent in unintended vs. intended pregnancies. Subthemes Chock, Feeling of unreality, Emotion control, Guilt, Denial, or Regret prevailed in unintended pregnancies. The major theme in all pregnancies was Personal advancement but subthemes Physical and psychological preparation and Responsibility prevailed in intended pregnancies vs. Acceptation and Personal progress in unintended pregnancies. Themes Relationships (with partner and others) were more frequently mentioned in unintended pregnancies vs. theme Logistics in intended pregnancies. Overall, the participants expressed opposed conflicting emotions but a desire for real involvement in pregnancy, birth, and child-raising. Conclusion: The participants proved interested and concerned. Fathers's presence and support should be solicited, accounted for, and valued by mothers-to-be and health professionals in all pregnancies. Involving fathers since pregnancy is essential for mental equilibrium, child-parent attachment, child and parent development, and family relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to fatherhood has been shown to be a stressful time for men, and their experiences of identifying and accessing formal and informal support are mixed. However, research on the experience of men who use intimate partner violence (IPV) during the transition to fatherhood is limited. The evidence documenting the prevalence and short- and long-term impact of violence perpetrated by men against women during pregnancy and postpartum demonstrates the seriousness of this public health issue. To understand the mechanisms of interrupting IPV by engaging men, the gap between what is known about experiences of identifying the need for and access to support during the transition to fatherhood of men with past and current histories of using IPV must be bridged. The study described explores experiences of support during the transition to fatherhood of men who have used IPV. Descriptive findings revealed that men had a range of types of supports from multiple sources; however, most also identified crucial unmet instrumental and socioemotional needs. Four themes surfaced disjunctures in how participants described resources they needed, accessed, and desired. Specifically, these disjunctures were related to men's adherence to a self-reliant identity, a lack of male-specific peer or role model support, the tendency for childbirth classes to be geared toward mothers and not seen by fathers as sources of support, and a gap between men's goals for themselves as fathers, and the actual tools, resources, and modeling that were accessible and "acceptable." The implications include suggestions for group-based programmatic efforts, and three initial steps for organizations to assess and build current capacity to engage—with safety and accountability at the forefront—fathers who use IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The father's involvement in childrearing can positively influence health outcomes not only for the man himself but also for his partner and their children. However, the experience of first‐time fatherhood is limited in Chinese communities. The aim of this study is to explore men's experience of first‐time fatherhood and coping in Hong Kong. An exploratory qualitative design was used. A purposive sample of 44 first‐time Chinese fathers who had participated in a couple‐based cognitive‐behavioral intervention for postnatal depression were recruited for telephone interviews at 1–3 months postpartum. Data were collected by a semistructured interview guide and analyzed using thematic analysis. The process involved in men's transition to first‐time fatherhood reveals four major themes: changes in daily life, new paternal roles and responsibilities, availability of resources to enhance adaptation, and coping strategies. The findings have implications for health care professionals and policy‐makers in the provision of comprehensive perinatal care and family‐friendly policies to aid men's transition to first‐time fatherhood in Chinese communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the experience of becoming a father following childhood cancer survival. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five fathers and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three superordinate themes emerged: 'moving away from and revisiting the experience of cancer', 'making sense of fortune and loss following a life-threatening illness' and 'valuing the opportunity to be a father'. The transition to fatherhood brought unique and specific challenges to fathers. Nevertheless, all appeared to have positively adjusted to this transition. Findings recommended providing information and support to childhood survivors who wish to or who are about to become fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Euro-American societies, married people typically have lower overall risks for total mortality and for certain chronic conditions compared to non-married people. However, people becoming partnered and parents also tend to gain weight in Euro-American settings. Few studies have tested whether links between physical health and life history status translate to other cultural contexts where the socio-ecological dynamics of family life may differ. This limits the application of these insights to men's well-being in global public health. To help address this gap, we drew on a large, long-running birth cohort study of Filipino men, using data collected at three waves between 2005 and 2014 when men were 21.5–30.5 years old (N = 607, obs. = 1760). We tested for the effects of the transition to partnering (marriage/cohabitation) and fatherhood on men's physical health (waist circumference, fat-free mass index, and grip strength). Men becoming partnered or partnered fathers (P/PF) had comparable longitudinal physical health trajectories to men remaining single non-fathers. However, men who became P/PF by their mid 20s had higher fat-free mass index values than single non-fathers at each wave, with the largest effect observed when all men were single non-fathers at baseline. Men who became P/PF by their early 30s were also stronger than the reference group at baseline. Thus, men who were more muscular and stronger at baseline were more likely to transition to P/PF status, consistent with a 'marital selection' model. In complementary analyses, men did not exhibit adverse health effects when they became partnered fathers as young adults or parents to infants, respectively. These findings suggest that links between health and life history transitions in this setting differ from those commonly observed in Euro-American societies. While transitions to marriage and fatherhood are promising windows for interventions to improve men's health, our results highlight the importance of tailoring such approaches to local dynamics. • Married men have lower mortality risks than single men in many societies. • Men's health and partnering/parenting links are poorly studied across cultures. • Filipino men's physical health did not differ across life history transitions. • Men who were stronger and more muscular were more likely to become partnered. • Links between men's health and life history transitions differ across contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive father involvement is critical to the healthy social, emotional, and academic outcomes of children at all stages of development. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify, categorize, and evaluate the potential impact of fatherhood interventions on father and child outcomes. A systematic search of four major research databases yielded 44 studies published between 1988 and 2018 that met study inclusion criteria. The most effective interventions were delivered in the community, with fathers convened in groups. Content focused on promoting positive parenting, co-parenting, and father/child relationships. Consequently, father involvement and child cognitive and socioemotional development were improved. Academic settings were underutilized in the fatherhood interventions in this review. We conclude that in order to optimize healthy child development, school officials must adopt a more inclusive stance toward the involvement of fathers in their children's education. Future randomized trials of fatherhood interventions delivered within school-based settings are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, little is known about how gay male parents discursively create and sustain family identity and how they position themselves in relation to the dominant heteronormative discourses of the traditional family. Framed relational dialectics theory – this study explored the meaning(s) of family and fatherhood in married gay fathers' relational talk. I interviewed 13 married gay parent dyads and conducted follow-up interviews to collect data across time as well as member check initial results. Using contrapuntal analysis, I identified the discourses of traditional family structure and nontraditional family structure at play. I argue that the couples' talk reflected discursive struggles to generate relational meanings for their family identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the different ways in which fatherhood is exercised in Spain and Norway. Family transformations and the redefinition of social roles assigned to men and women have brought changes in the meanings ascribed to paternity by Western societies. The two countries analyzed have undergone these changes in different ways, as they reflect different social interpretations about fathering, dissimilar participation of women in the labor market and diverse development of family policies. The aim of the article is therefore to analyze the structural elements that shape the behavior of fathers in Spain and Norway. Methodological triangulation was applied, combining in-depth interviews in both countries with a quantitative analysis of the main databases within this area. The empirical analysis is undertaken within the structural theory perspective, which takes into account the existence of elements external to the families which influence the distribution of work within the private sphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birth satisfaction impacts on a man's adjustment to his new role as father. Fathers have been found to have needs similar to those of mothers during pregnancy and childbirth. Research suggests that these needs may not be being met for first-time fathers. In a quantitative survey, fathers' birth satisfaction was similar to mothers. This study then used a phenomenological form of thematic analysis to gain an insight into the birth experiences of 155 first-time New Zealand fathers. Core themes included safety of mother and baby, understanding support role, mother in control and managing pain and care and communication after birth. Fathers commented on what impacted on their childbirth experiences and in so doing outlined their needs for a positive experience. Fathers experienced a high level of satisfaction along with a need to be involved and included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A man's transition to fatherhood is one of the most significant changes in his life. The birth of the baby prematurely makes this transition a difficult experience. Study objectives included a better understanding of the range of experiences of fathers of premature infants and building new work procedures according to our findings. We used a qualitative content analysis design. We interviewed 26 fathers just prior to their infant's discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. Our findings reveal a growing trend of the father taking on a more significant role in the care of the infant and equal division of tasks with the mother. Although this is the trend, there are fathers who prefer to keep to the traditional paternal role of standing aside or behind the mother. Pursuant to these findings, specific work procedures for fathers were formulated, and information booklets for fathers and mothers were planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fathers are more than social accidents. Research has demonstrated that fathers matter to children's development. Despite noted progress, challenges remain on how best to conceptualize and assess fathering and father–child relationships. The current monograph is the result of an SRCD‐sponsored meeting of fatherhood scholars brought together to discuss these challenges and make recommendations for best practices for incorporating fathers in studies on parenting and children's development. The first aim of this monograph was to provide a brief update on the current state of research on fathering and to lay out a developmental ecological systems perspective as a conceptual framework for understanding the different spaces fathers inhabit in their children's lives. Because there is wide variability in fathers' roles, the ecological systems perspective situates fathers, mothers, children, and other caregivers within an evolving network of interrelated social relationships in which children and their parents change over time and space (e.g., residence). The second aim was to present examples of empirical studies conducted by members of the international working group that highlighted different methods, data collection, and statistical analyses used to capture the variability in father–child relationships. The monograph ends with a commentary that elaborates on the ecological systems framework with a discussion of the broader macrosystem and social‐contextual influences that impinge on fathers and their children. The collection of articles contributes to research on father–child relationships by advancing theory and presenting varied methods and analysis strategies that assist in understanding the father–child relationship and its impact on child development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Attachment between the father and the premature baby is affected by restrictions on the father's access to the nursery. • The father is willing to care for his premature baby. • The KC increases attachment between father and baby, in addition to reducing stress levels. • Health personnel should support the participation of the father in the care of the premature baby during the NICU's stay. Each year millions of fathers face the hospitalization of their premature babies in the NICU. Without having any preparation to accompany the hospitalization of the newborn. Hospitalization in the NICU generates an abrupt separation between the parents and the newborns, complicating the development of attachment between the father-baby dyad; to prevent this, NICU use the KC, a low-cost method that promotes and improves attachment. This systematic review aimed to identify what the experience of fatherhood is like having a premature baby and performing KC at a NICU. We searched in the databases APA PsycNet, BVS, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library (The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled. Trials), with the period from 2010 to October 2023. We followed the criteria from the. Prisma manual for this systematic review. We use the Critical Appraisal Skills Program. to assess the studies' quality and the Mendeley software to manage the references. The searches returned a total of 928 articles and of these 37 were eligible. The results of the articles for the review were synthesized analyzing the theme. The father's experience in the NICU has benefited from the kangaroo method and from the skin-to-skin that strengthens the father-baby attachment. Conclusions and implications for practice: Support from health professionals is vital to encourage fathers to care for their babies. Fathers' emotions are a mixture of positive feelings such as joy for their child's birth and sadness for the hospitalization. It is essential that the health personnel include fathers, fostering equity between the mother and the father. Hospital policies must ensure the free insertion of the father into the NICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Qualitative literature on service-level barriers and facilitators to father engagement was synthesised. • Practitioner competencies, service environment, advertising and promotion, workplace policies, evaluation activities, availability of resources and staff training are important for father engagement. • Initiatives to improve father engagement should target both the practitioners and the organizational environment. Service-level factors that influence father engagement within child and family services are not well understood due to diversity in research studies and evidence from different contexts. Accordingly, the aim of this systematic review was to identify and synthesise available qualitative evidence across contexts to identify the common service-level barriers and facilitators of father engagement in child and family services. The following six databases were systematically searched from database inception in February 2022: Medline, EMBASE, AMED, PsycINFO, CAB Abstracts, and Global Health. Studies were considered eligible if they described service-level factors impacting father engagement in healthcare services and interventions aimed at improving child and family well-being. The screening and selection processes were conducted by two independent reviewers to reduce the risk of bias. Selected studies were quality assessed using the CASP appraisal tool. Results from the included studies were synthesised thematically. Twenty-three eligible qualitative studies were included in the analysis. All studies were published between 2005 and 2022 Thematic synthesis identified seven main themes encompassing service-level barriers and facilitators to father engagement: practitioners; environment; marketing; resources; staff education; policy and practice guidelines; and evaluation. The findings show that improving father engagement is dependent on a combination of individual practitioner competence, and service environment that provides the necessary structure, processes, and resources to enable effective work with fathers. Addressing the barriers and prioritizing facilitators therefore requires strengthening of both the organizational and practitioner capacity for father-inclusive practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children live in different contexts of protection and vulnerability when exposed to domestic violence. The negative impacts for many children are consistent and widely acknowledged. However, the implication that this requires men who use violence to address their fathering has been slower to emerge. This article draws from 69 in‐depth qualitative interviews with men, women, and workers across four men's behaviour change programmes in rural Victoria, Australia. Particular attention is given to men's attitudes to their fathering and the formal and informal consequences they experienced as a result of their violence and its impact on their fathering. Although most men came to recognize that their violence impacted their children, they failed to make the connection that the involvement of statutory child protection services in their lives was a direct consequence of their abusive behaviour. This article explores this disconnection by fathers who use violence, their attitude to the involvement of statutory child protection services, and identifies the implications for social work practitioners in addressing this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite claims of “new” and “involved” fathers, research shows men’s actual fathering practices remain relatively unchanged. Increasing attention is being paid to the influence of child and family services on father engagement with calls from researchers and practitioners for a game change in parenting interventions. In this article, we draw on case study data to examine how gender impacts on maternal and child health services’ engagement with new fathers in respectful relationships programs. Our analysis shows that gender shapes men’s fathering and consequently their involvement in programs that seek to engage men as fathers. These gendered behaviors intersect with the practices, policies, and orientation of the Maternal and Child Health Service. The findings hold important implications for designing strategies to engage men in family services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within sport psychology, little research on fathers has been done, with no research yet exploring the social construction of athlete father identities to learn more about gendered parental identities in sport. Building on media research within sport psychology, the present study sought to extend understanding of athlete father identities in a cultural context by examining how news media constructed one high profile athlete’s (i.e. tennis star Andy Murray) journey into new fatherhood in relation to identity. Ethnographic content analysis was used to explore Murray’s athlete and father identities as socio-cultural creations shaped by media narratives. Sixty stories from UK news media were collected between 1 December 2015 (two months prior to the birth of Murray’s daughter) and 31 December 2016 (the end of the 2016 tennis season), to explore Murray’s journey as a new father in relation to identity and athletic career. Eighty-seven images contextualised the meanings of news narratives. A central cultural narrative of involved fatherhood constructed two identities: the good father and the new and improved athlete father. These identities fed into multiple meanings of involved fatherhood and athletics. The meanings both affirmed and resisted gendered ideals in parenting and sport which had implications for athletic career. These findings extend cultural sport psychology research on the social construction of identity and previous media research on elite athlete mother identities into research on media representations of elite athlete fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to fatherhood can be a time of stress and excitement for expectant and new fathers. At the same time, the impact of men’s use of intimate partner violence (IPV) during and following pregnancy on women is well documented. Currently, a lack of programmatic efforts to engage men during the transition to fatherhood to interrupt IPV exists. This study sought to illuminate the perceptions of men, who had recently become fathers and had perpetrated IPV, about the idea of a transition to fatherhood program, for men like themselves. The thirteen study participants universally favored the idea of and need for such a program. Findings also described participants’ identified timing, format, and topics, which could inform future development of transition to fatherhood program for men who have perpetrated IPV. Policy and practice implications for social service and health care providers include implementing pre- and post-natal screening of men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal depression across the first years of life carries long-term negative consequences for children's well-being; yet, few studies focused on fathers as potential source of resilience in the context of chronic maternal depression. Utilizing an extreme-case design, a community birth cohort of married/cohabitating mothers (N = 1983) with no comorbid risk was repeatedly tested for maternal depression across the first year and again at 6 years, leading to two matched cohorts; 46 mothers with chronic depression and 103 non-depressed controls. At 6 years, mother and child underwent psychiatric diagnosis and mother-child and father-child interactions observed. Partners of depressed mothers exhibited reduced sensitivity, lower reciprocity, and higher tension during interactions, particularly among children with psychopathology. Maternal depression increased child propensity to display Axis-I disorder upon school-entry by fourfold. Sensitive fathering reduced this risk by half. Findings underscore the father's resilience-promoting role in cases of maternal depression and emphasize the need for father-focused interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines whether fathers' parental warmth and parenting stress were associated with behavior problems when children were approximately 36-months of age, beyond the influence of maternal behaviors. Study participants were 3342 low-income fathers and mothers who participated in the Building Strong Families (BSF) study. Cross-sectional regression analyses indicated that for unmarried nonresidential families, fathers' parental warmth and parenting stress were associated with child internalizing behavior problems; and fathers' parenting stress only was marginally associated with child externalizing behavior problems. For consistently cohabiting residential fathers, only fathers' parenting stress was marginally associated with child internalizing behavior problems. No associations of fathers' parental warmth and parenting stress on either internalizing or externalizing behavior problems were observed in married families. Overall, study results suggest that fathers' parental warmth and parenting stress may have a modest positive association on the development of child internalizing behavior problems particularly in vulnerable families (i.e., families in which fathers were nonresidential). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fathers play an important role in the lives of their children and are an underserved and understudied population. This study explored predictors of father involvement in a sample of low-income fathers enrolled in a responsible fatherhood program in one large county in the northeastern United States. Although many demographic, psychological, and social factors have been found to be associated with father involvement in other research, in our study only living situation, marital status, substance abuse, and self-esteem were significant predictors of involvement. The findings of this study underscore the need for more comprehensive fatherhood programming that includes mental health, substance use, and relationship counseling in addition to the traditional fatherhood program curriculum. Suggestions for future research include the study of father involvement among fathers of children in multiple households, as well as among fathers who are not physically present (for example, incarcerated or serving in the armed forces), and specifically in the context of substance abuse services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]