Fathers Matter: Involving and Engaging Fathers in the Child Welfare System Process

The Impact of Social Support: Fathers' Depressive Symptoms and Parenting Stress

Parental depressive symptoms are positively correlated with levels of parenting stress. Greater parenting stress predicts negative outcomes for both parents and children, and worse family functioning. Social support is a key protective factor against depressive symptoms; however, minimal research has examined the relationship between social support, paternal depressive symptoms, and parenting stress among fathers. Seventy-nine fathers of children, aged 2-6 years old, completed an online survey. Mediation analyses, using Hayes' PROCESS macro, determined significant indirect effects of social support on parenting stress through paternal depressive symptoms. Our findings elucidate the need for social support from family, friends, and significant others to improve depressive symptomology and parenting stress among fathers. We encourage fathers to seek support from friends, family, and their partners, to benefit their mental health and the family unit. Clinicians working with fathers should be aware of the possibility of co-occurring problems related to these factors.

Evaluating the effectiveness of intensive family preservation services: A multi-level meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS) are an important part of child welfare. They are short-term, in-home treatment programs aimed at preventing imminent out-of-home placements, however, today, their overall effectiveness remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to conduct a comprehensive review of IFPS effectiveness, evaluate a wide range of outcomes, and analyze the impact of various factors on its success.

METHODS

A three-level meta-analysis was conducted on 33 controlled trial studies comprising 226 effect sizes to test whether the effectiveness of IFPS was influenced by study, program, target, sample, and outcome characteristics.

RESULTS

Analyses showed that IFPS did have a modest overall effect on treatment outcomes (g = 0.18), with notable variations across different outcome measures, showing small and positive effects on out-of-home placement (g = 0.31), family functioning (g = 0.19), juvenile delinquency (g = 0.19), and parental psychopathology (g = 0.34). Greater program intensity was associated with smaller effects, and follow-up assessment yielded larger effects than post-test assessments, indicating that positive intervention effects increased over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest a rather limited effectiveness of IFPS, indicating that both practice and policy should take this into account. Recommendations for future research are provided to further enhance understanding and improvement of IFPS interventions.

Barriers to and Facilitators of Help-Seeking Among Men Who are Victims of Domestic Violence: A Mixed-Studies Systematic Review

Domestic violence against men poses a significant threat to men's health and well-being and is increasingly being recognized as a public health issue. Unfortunately, men who are victims often struggle to disclose and report their abusive experiences. This review aims to examine and consolidate the evidence regarding the barriers to and facilitators of help-seeking behaviors of men who suffered from women-perpetrated domestic violence. A mixed-studies review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute approach. Nine electronic databases were searched from each database's inception until January 2023. The 23 included studies were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and their findings were synthesized using the Joanna Briggs Institute convergent qualitative synthesis method. An overarching theme, "Stuck in a loop and finding ways to move on," which encapsulated the predicament of victimized men in abusive relationships, was identified along with three main themes. Overall, a gender-biased perspective of domestic violence, personal fears, and familial factors hindered victimized men from reporting violence and seeking help. A multi-faceted approach-consisting of public education campaigns, sensitizing, and training help professionals, engendering "safe" environments, developing men-specific assessments, and reforming social and legal-justice processes-is needed to effectively address the gender-specific challenges faced by men who are victims of domestic violence and break the cycle of abuse, and improve formal and informal help-seeking in men who are victims of domestic abuse.

Parenting experiences of single fathers: A meta-synthesis

Single-parent families led by fathers are an increasing demographic globally, Furthermore, single fatherhood is associated with poorer self-reported health and mental health, lifestyle practices and habits, increased health complications, psychological symptoms, hospital admissions, and higher mortality. However, there is still a dearth of evidence exploring single fathers' experiences. A systematic review and meta-synthesis were conducted using Sandelowski and Barroso's approach. Six electronic databases were searched from each database's inception to December 2021, and 34 studies were included in this review. In total, six themes were synthesized: (i) "Doing it alone": Double the work, stress, and tears; (ii) Beyond ambivalence and towards stability, (iii) Walking into the lion's den; (iv) Education as a foundation for a better future; (v) "Single but not alone": Support systems; (vi) "Reconceptualising my predicament": Double the love and growth. Our findings suggest the need to: help fathers better navigate their relationships with their children and ex-partners, increased awareness and availability of parent-teaching and support programs, and reform guidelines and policies to enable greater participation and involvement of fathers in future judicial systems, and social and public assistance services.

Male Caregivers and Engagement in a Family Strengthening Program for Child Disruptive Behavior Disorders

Awareness and interest in involving male caregivers in child mental health treatment has grown, especially for youth with disruptive behavior disorders like oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between male caregiver involvement and treatment engagement for child ODD. Children (n = 122) ages 7-11 and their caregivers participated in the 4 Rs 2 Ss Strengthening Families Program for child-onset ODD. Families were compared based on male caregiver presence. Families with a male caregiver were significantly more resourced with respect to income, educational status, and food security. Additionally, they were over three times less likely to drop out of the program than those without a male caregiver. The presence of a male caregiver was associated with increased resources and higher rates of engagement in services than single, female-headed families. Future research is needed to discern the underlying mechanisms of this association.

Peer parent programs in child welfare: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Mentoring, specifically peer mentoring, emerged in the child welfare setting in the early 2000s. Peer parent programs provide child welfare involved families a unique opportunity to connect with parents that have successfully navigated the child welfare system and who share similar lived experiences. No systematic review has been conducted to summarize findings associated with parental participation in peer parent programs and associated child welfare case outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study systematically summarizes the effectiveness of peer parent programs in child welfare on case outcomes, specifically permanency, time-in-care, and re-entry post reunification.

METHODS

Four citations were identified for review from seven academic databases. A data template was utilized to extract the following information from each study: location, target of intervention, research design, setting of intervention, intervention description, peer parent criteria, inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants, sample size, statistical tests, outcomes assessed, and key findings.

RESULTS

Several peer parent programs have been developed to support and empower child welfare involved families with the aim of improving case outcomes. All of the peer parent programs reviewed had a positive impact on reunification rates; that is, parents who participated in a peer mentor program were more likely to reunify with their child(ren) when compared to non-participants. Results regarding time-in-care and re-entry post reunification at 12 and 24 months were mixed.

CONCLUSIONS

Child welfare agencies should consider developing peer parent programs as they appear to be a promising intervention to support parents and increase positive child welfare outcomes.

"Two Hours on a Sunday": Fatherhood Following an Intimate Partner Violence Incident-A Theory of Excision

Fathers who are arrested after an intimate partner violence (IPV) incident must navigate multiple systems, including child welfare, criminal justice and family court, that regulate their interactions with their family members post-arrest. Contact between fathers and their children is highly regulated in the name of safety, often creating lengthy separations and putting strain on already frayed parent-child relationships. While concerns for the safety of victims and survivors of IPV are warranted, there is increased acknowledgement of the important role that fathers, including those with a history of IPV, play in their children's lives. This exploratory study used grounded theory methodology to interrogate how fathers seeking treatment at an abusive partners' program maintained a relationship with their child(ren) and their identities as fathers. Fourteen fathers with experience in the phenomenon of interest completed in-depth qualitative interviews, focus groups, and demographic questionnaires. These data were analyzed along with observational memos to develop a four-stage theory of excision which captured the four stages of routine and effective separation of fathers from their children's lives observed: (a) extraction; (b) re-assignment of identity; (c) exclusion; and (d) what remains. The presence of a single negative case in this study allowed for a discussion of this excision appearing to operate differently along racial lines. The urgent need to redress the institutional racism within these systems that has resulted in extraordinary burden and injustice to families of color is detailed. Implications for policies and practice with families living with IPV are discussed.

"I Know That It's Something That's Creating a Bond": Fathers' Experiences of Participating in Baby Theater With Their Infants in South Africa

In many African countries, particularly those with largely patriarchal societies like South Africa, promoting father-child interaction can pose a challenge. An informative medium that could potentially encourage active participation in pleasurable interactions between fathers and babies may prove to be an important way in which to stimulate fathers' awareness of their infants' abilities. A Cape Town based theater company created the first ever South African baby play for care-givers and their babies between the ages of 2 weeks to 12 months. The play is performed in a contained, relaxing space and offers carers and babies time to relate to each other in a pleasurable atmosphere, while specially trained actors model sensitive and responsive interactions. Baby Theater could be a way to encourage fathers' involvement with their infants, however, no research is currently available documenting fathers' perceptions about Baby Theater experience. Aim: To explore fathers' experience of participating in Baby Theater. Method: This qualitative study involved six fathers who, with their infants, participated in the Baby Theater production. A week later the fathers were divided into two focus groups to give them the opportunity to discuss their thoughts about the experience and to reflect on whether it had any subsequent impact on their interactions with their babies. The audiotaped, transcribed material was thematically analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Results: The fathers described the experience as educative and enjoyable. They reported that the program had a positive impact on the way they interacted with their infants and also positively influenced their relationship with them. Additionally, they reported feeling more confident about coping with their babies on their own, and appreciated the connection with the other fathers in the group. Cultural, societal, and gender issues were also considered. Conclusions: The subjective experience of the fathers was positive. Further research is needed to assess the lasting effects of the Baby Theater experience.

Ain't nobody got time for dad? Racial-ethnic disproportionalities in child welfare casework practice with nonresident fathers

BACKGROUND

Given fathers' potential role in bringing about desired child welfare case outcomes, researchers have begun to identify factors that impact agency efforts to identify and involve fathers. Racial-ethnic inequality and bias are not among factors studied, despite longstanding evidence that racial-ethnic minority children make up a disproportionate share of the child welfare population.

OBJECTIVE

We set out to identify racial-ethnic patterns in initial casework activity with nonresident fathers and explore whether select factors explain racial-ethnic differentials.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Caseworkers of 1,754 children in foster care in four U.S. states were surveyed.

METHODS

Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with whether agencies identified, located, and contacted nonresident fathers.

RESULTS

Agencies were less likely to identify nonresident fathers of Black, Latinx, and Multiracial children, relative to those of White children. Among fathers whom agencies identified, Black and Latinx fathers were less likely to be located. Among fathers whom agencies located, Black and Latinx fathers were less likely to be contacted. Whereas greater rates of international mobility among Latinx fathers explained agencies' disproportionately low rates of contact, no other factor explained racial-ethnic differentials.

CONCLUSION

We find evidence of historical racial-ethnic disproportionalities across the three initial stages of casework practice with nonresident fathers in U.S. child welfare systems. Though more recent data are needed, this research suggests that racial-ethnic minority foster children are more likely than White foster children to be denied the benefits of agency-father contact, whether due to societal or systemic racial inequalities.

[Paternal commitment and its association with health-promoting behaviors]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the association of paternal commitment and health-promoting behaviors.

METHODS

Correlational and predictive study in 160 parents attended in two Family Health Centers, who responded to the scales of paternal involvement and lifestyles II, as well as biosociodemographic questions.

RESULTS

On average, 78.1% of the fathers were highly committed. The variables that positively influence paternal commitment are health-promoting behaviors, and their participation in childbirth and routine checkups of their children. Age had a negative influence on paternal commitment. Higher correlations of paternal commitment were observed in the dimensions spiritual growth and interpersonal relationships, while it was lower in the physical activity dimension. Father's commitment was mostly evident in activities done together with their children such as feeding, dressing and playing.

CONCLUSION

Fathers participate more actively in the upbringing of their children. Considering that they are implicitly health role models for children, there is a clear need to create and/or maintain strategies to encourage health-promoting behaviors in fathers by health professionals, since they favorably influence paternal commitment.

Fathers Know Best: Inner-City African American Fathers' Perceptions Regarding Their Involvement in the Pediatric Medical Home

OBJECTIVE

Despite nearly three in four African American (AA) children being born to unwed mothers, AA fathers maintain relatively high levels of parenting engagement, whether or not they live with their children. While father involvement correlates with decreased adverse child health outcomes, the nature of AA father involvement in child health-including engagement in the pediatric medical home-remains largely unexplored. Our study aimed to assess perceptions of pediatric medical home participation among a cohort of urban, AA fathers.

METHODS

Group level assessments (GLA; N = 17) were conducted among AA fathers in an urban, Midwestern neighborhood to examine perceptions regarding pediatric medical home involvement. Study participants generated themes based on GLA responses, and study staff used grounded theory as a framework for qualitative analysis of thematic data.

RESULTS

Fathers desired to have their parental role acknowledged by mothers and pediatricians. They perceived unrecognized parenting strengths, including being role models, teachers, and providers for their children. Respondents endorsed uncertainty navigating the pediatric health care system, unawareness of their children's pediatric appointments, and feeling excluded from health care decision-making by their children's mothers and pediatric providers.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort, AA fathers have a strong desire to be involved in their children's healthy development, but feel marginalized in their parenting role. AA fathers want improved communication with physicians and their children's mothers and to be actively included in health care decision-making. Enhanced efforts to engage fathers in the pediatric medical home may lead to improved health outcomes and reduced disparities for minority children.