The role of father involvement in children's later mental health

The path of depression in rural children: A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis across multiple provinces in China

OBJECTIVES

This study explores the combinations of conditional variables contributing to depressive symptoms in rural children.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 715 children from a rural mental health database, conducting detailed follow-up investigations on 129 children in Zhejiang and Henan provinces. We used fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) and regression analysis to identify causal pathways leading to depression.

RESULTS

The results indicate that depression in rural children does not stem from a single, necessary condition but arises from multiple factors. Our findings highlight significant contributions from both maternal and paternal involvement. Specifically, maternal involvement, combined synergistically with peer support and problematic behaviors, as well as paternal involvement, together with peer support and anxiety, significantly affects depressive outcomes. Additionally, anxiety and strong peer relationships independently have a substantial impact on these outcomes. Effective mitigation strategies involve active parental engagement and robust peer support, reducing the influence of risk factors such as problematic behaviors and anxiety.

LIMITATIONS

The generalizability of the results is limited by cultural and geographical variations. The study also does not account for all potential factors influencing depression in rural children.

CONCLUSION

Depression in rural children results from multiple interacting factors. Tailored interventions addressing these specific combinations are recommended.

Abnormal amygdala volume moderates parenting and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents with anxiety disorder

Anxiety disorders (AD) usually onset in childhood or adolescence and are related to brain development and early experiences during this period. As the hub of the fear circuit, the amygdala plays a crucial role in the development of emotional processing, and abnormalities in its structure and function are associated with anxiety disorders. We aim to uncover the amygdala volume's moderation between parenting and anxiety severity in children and adolescents with AD. 129 children and adolescents with anxiety and 135 age- and sex-matched Health controls (HC) using the publicly available Healthy Brain Network (HBN) dataset were included. Anxiety severity was measured using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders Self-report (SCARED-SR) and parenting was measured using the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire Self-Report (APQ-SR). We investigated age-related differences in amygdala volume in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. Further, we examined the role of amygdala volume in moderating the association between parental involvement, particularly the maternal involvement, and anxiety symptoms in this population. We found larger bilateral amygdala in the AD group compared with the HC among the age range of 7-12. And increases in amygdala volume tended to negatively moderate the linear relationships between maternal involvement and anxiety symptoms in the AD group. These findings provide new evidence of abnormal brain alteration in children and adolescents with anxiety and may reflect proactive adaptations of adolescent brain development.

Parenting and family interventions in lower and middle-income countries for child and adolescent mental health: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Given the protective effect of nurturing caregivers and families for child and adolescent mental health, there is a need to review and synthesize research evidence regarding the effectiveness of parenting and family interventions in low and middle-income countries, including humanitarian settings. To advance practice, further understanding of the active ingredients of such interventions and implementation factors that lead to effectiveness are essential.

METHOD

This systematic review, an update from a previous review, included studies on any parenting or family intervention for children and adolescents aged 0-24, living in a low- or middle-income country, that quantitatively measured child or adolescent mental health outcomes. We searched Global Health, PubMed, PsychINFO, PILOTS and the Cochrane Library databases on the 9th July 2020, and updated on the 12th August 2022. Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted version of the NIH Quality Assessment Tool. We extracted data on: effectiveness outcomes, practice elements included in effective interventions, and implementation challenges and successes.

MAIN FINDINGS

We found a total of 80 studies (n = 18,193 participants) representing 64 different family or parenting interventions, 43 of which had evidence of effect for a child or adolescent mental health outcome. Only 3 studies found no effect on child, adolescent or caregiver outcomes. The most common practice elements delivered in effective interventions included caregiver psychoeducation, communication skills, and differential reinforcement. Key implementation strategies and lessons learned included non-specialist delivery, the engagement of fathers, and integrated or multi-sector care to holistically address family needs.

PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS

Despite a high level of heterogeneity, preliminary findings from the review are promising and support the use of parenting and family interventions to address the wider social ecology of children in low resource and humanitarian contexts. There are remaining gaps in understanding mechanisms of change and the empirical testing of different implementation models. Our findings have implications for better informing task sharing from specialist to non-specialist delivery, and from individual-focused to wider systemic interventions.

Child health prioritisation in national adaptation policies on climate change: a policy document analysis across 160 countries

Integration of child-specific adaptation measures into health policies is imperative given children's heightened susceptibility to the health impacts of climate change. Using a document analysis method, we examined 160 national adaptation policies for inclusion of child-relevant measures and identified 19 child health-related adaptation domains. 44 (28%) of 160 countries' policies that were analysed failed to include any domains, 49 (31%) included at least one child-related domain, 62 (39%) included between two and six domains, and five (3%) included at least seven domains. Predominant domains among child-specific adaptation measures included education and awareness raising, followed by community engagement and nutrition. No country addressed children's direct needs in the domain of mental health. National adaptation policies tend towards overly simple conceptualisations of children across four major lenses: age, social role, gender, and agency. Limited inclusion of child-specific measures in national adaptation policies suggests insufficient recognition of and action on children's susceptibility to climate change effects.

Parental gender attitudes and children's mental health: Evidence from the UK household longitudinal study

Gender role attitudes have been found to be associated with the mental health of adults and adolescents, but little is known about whether parents' gender attitudes are associated with their children's mental health. Using data from Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), a large-population representative sample, we examine the links between parental gender role attitudes and child mental health outcomes as measured by the total and five components of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). We construct structural equation models, separately for mothers and for fathers and for children aged 5 and 8, and adjust for key sociodemographic variables. We find that children aged 5 years exhibit fewer emotional and peer relationship problems and are more prosocial when their mothers have more egalitarian (compared to traditionalist) gender role attitudes. We also find that children are more prosocial at age 8 when their mothers have more egalitarian gender role attitudes. No statistically significant mediation effect is observed via maternal parenting behaviour. Fathers' more egalitarian gender role attitudes were associated with higher hyperactivity at age 5 and more prosocial behaviour at age 8. Further, engaging in less negative parenting behaviour completely mediates the association of fathers' more egalitarian gender attitudes with children's mental health across the majority of the SDQ scales. This suggests that parental gender attitudes may be a possible target for the prevention of mental health difficulties among children; however, future research will be required to examine the extent to which the associations we identified reflect causality.

Integrating father involvement into early childhood initiatives delivered at scale: key considerations

Early child development (ECD) interventions, usually centered around the mother, exclude fathers from contributing to childcare. Research shows that a father’s involvement in childcare can have a positive impact on the child’s growth. In this light, a trial was conducted in rural India wherein a new program component aimed at enhancing fathers’ engagement in early child was incorporated into an existing childcare intervention. The paper highlights the learnings drawn from the trial to present pathways to change, that is, strategies needed to embed father involvement as a component within the intervention ecosystem.

Mental Health Screening in Pediatric Primary Care: Factors Associated With Screening Completion and Elevated Scores

This study aimed to examine predictors of complete and elevated youth mental health screens. Parents of 4- to 11-year-old children completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) during a routine, universal mental health screening initiative in primary care. Bivariate logistic regressions were run to examine associations between independent (visit age, sex, race/ethnicity, language, insurance, and guardian) and dependent variables (screening completion and elevated SDQ score). Parents of younger and Spanish-speaking (vs English-speaking) children were less likely to have a complete SDQ screen. Among those with complete SDQ screens, older children, male children, those with public or no insurance, and those who had a mother (vs father) complete the screener were more likely to have an elevated score. Understanding patterns of screening completion rates and predictors of elevated screens provides valuable information to improve resource mapping and planning. Findings can inform mental health screening implementation and optimization within primary care.

The Efficacy of Two Group Interventions on Mental Representations, Attachment Security, and Trauma Symptoms in Ethnically and Socioeconomically Minoritized Young Adolescents in an Urban Middle School

Symptoms resulting from childhood trauma can negatively impact socioemotional well-being and school performance during early adolescence unless positive changes in attachment security and mental representations of significant relationships occur. A sample of 109 eighth grade urban students were randomly assigned to one of two weekly, one-hour, school-based group interventions-Storytelling/Story-Acting for Adolescents (STSA-A) or Mentalization-Based Treatment Group Intervention (MBT-G). The Object Relations Inventory (ORI), Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire (AAQ) and Child PSTD Stress Scale (CPSS) were administered to students and their primary group leaders at the beginning (October) and end (May) of the intervention protocol as outcome variables. Participants in both the STSA-A and MBT-G intervention conditions experienced significant increases in attachment security and decreases in trauma symptoms. Over the course of eight months of group intervention, affective valence of paternal mental representations significantly decreased for boys and for participants in the STSA-A condition, while affective valence of primary group leader mental representations significantly decreased for participants in the MBT-G condition. STSA-A and MBT-G were found to be efficacious at improving attachment security and reducing trauma symptoms in young adolescents. The strengths of each group intervention for addressing interpersonal issues unique to specific types of adolescents are discussed.

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.

Parental preference for boys in childhood and the health of the elderly: Evidence from China

OBJECTIVE

This study analyzed the relationship between parents' son preference in a person's childhood and their health when they become older, and tested whether childhood educational opportunities, health level, and care resources play mediating roles in this relationship.

BACKGROUND

China has entered a stage of aging population. The health of the elderly determines whether the government can successfully cope with the challenges brought about by the aging of the population. Chinese people are deeply influenced by Confucianism. The concept of "son preference" is related to residents' parenting strategies. Then, if one's parents exhibit a son preference in their childhood, will it affect one's health in old age?

METHOD

Based on the data of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study collected in 2014, this paper uses the least square method to analyze the impact of parents' preference in childhood for boys on the health of the elderly, and uses Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) to analyze the mediating effects of childhood educational opportunities, health level and care resources.

RESULTS

This study found that parents' preference for boys had a positive impact on the health of male children when they became elderly but had a negative impact on the health of female children when they became elderly. Childhood educational opportunities, health level, and care resources mediated this relationship.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to analyze the impact of parents' preference for sons in one's childhood on the health of elderly, and intervene the adverse factors affecting the health, to improve the health level and quality of life of the elderly.

Paternal Borderline Symptoms and Offspring Outcomes in Young Adulthood

Borderline personality disorder symptoms (BPDsx) in mothers have been linked to psychopathology in their offspring. However, it is still unclear whether BPDsx in fathers influences offspring psychopathology and, if so, how this risk transmission may occur. A total of 448 father-mother-offspring triads completed a longitudinal study following children from birth until age 20 and included self-report questionnaires and clinical interviews when children were 15 and 20 years old. Results revealed that paternal BPDsx were predictive of youth BPDsx and internalizing symptoms, even after controlling for maternal BPDsx. Chronic family stress was a significant mediator of the relationship between paternal BPDsx and offspring BPDsx, internalizing symptoms, and externalizing symptoms. Fathers' expressed emotion and child temperament were not significant mediators. Although offspring sex predicted youth outcomes, it was not a significant moderator of the association between paternal BPDsx and offspring symptoms. Finally, controlling for comorbid paternal disorders weakened the association between paternal BPDsx and youth psychopathology.

Childhood Separation From Parents and Self-Harm in Adolescence: A Cross-Sectional Study in Mainland China

As the prevalence of self-harm among adolescents in Chinese escalates, finding out the potential risk factors associated with self-harm behaviors has aroused much attention. This study aims to explore the association between parent-child separation and series of self-harm (SH) subtypes among Chinese adolescents. We survey a total of 4,928 middle school students aged from 12 to 18 years at school. Parent-child separation was investigated from four dimensions-occurrence of parental separation, separation status, age at first separation and duration of separation. Self-harm series are deemed as five subtypes-highly lethal self-harm, less lethal self-harm with visible tissue damage, self-harm without visible tissue damage, self-harmful behaviors with latent damage and psychological self-harm. Multivariate logistic regression is used to explore the associations between parent-child separation and different subtypes of self-harm among adolescents. Paternal separation is associated with each type of self-harm whilst maternal separation is not correlated with highly lethal self-harm. Except for highly lethal self-harm, the other four subtypes of self-harm demonstrate a relation with both length of paternal separation and maternal separation with aOR ranging from 1.02 to 1.06. Individuals who suffer parental separation prior to the age of three were at a higher risk for four types of less-lethal self-harm. The association of parent-child separation with self-harm deserves our attention, and future research is needed to identify the underlying mechanisms.

Bullying and coping with bullying among obese\overweight and normal weight children

This study aimed to determine the obese\overweight and normal weight children's status of encountering and coping with bullying and the correlational factors. This case-control study was conducted with 1.680 students in the second level (5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades) from September 24, 2018 to May 31, 2019 in the Mediterranean Region in Turkey. The data were collected using a personal information form, the Traditional Peer Victimization Scale and the Coping with Bullying Scale. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney U test, Binary Logistic Regression, Backward Wald Elimination, and Simple Linear and Backward Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression analyses. This study indicated that the risk of becoming victims, bullies or bully-victims increases among boys and 8th grade students. It also found that the risk of being victims and bully-victims increases among children whose father is illiterate. There was no significant difference between obese\overweight and normal weight children in terms of being victims, bullies and bully-victims. Grade level, academic performance, father's education level and awareness of reporting bullying were effective in coping with bullying among the children, while weight was not. Further studies are needed to determine different factors that affect children's coping strategies against bullying.

The relationship between father absence and hostility among Chinese depressed youths: A serial mediation model and the role of self-esteem and frustration tolerance

BACKGROUND

While the association between father absence and youth hostility has been well-documented among depressed youths, there is a lack of research on the potential mechanism underlying such an association. This study aimed to test a serial mediation model of self-esteem and frustration tolerance on the link between father absence and youth hostility.

METHODS

A total of 137 Chinese youths with major depressive disorder were recruited from Wuhan Mental Health Center. They completed a survey including the Father Absence Questionnaire to measure father absence, the Chinese Hostility Inventory (CHI) to measure hostility, the Psychological Endurance Questionnaire to measure frustration tolerance, and the Self-esteem Scale (SES) to measure self-esteem. A series of multiple linear regression models were employed to assess the associations among father absence, self-esteem, frustration tolerance, and hostility.

RESULTS

Although father absence was modestly associated with hostility (r = 0.30, p < 0.001), subsequent serial mediation analysis showed that father absence was not directly related to hostility (β = 0.06, p = 0.29) when self-esteem and frustration tolerance were included in the model. High levels of father absence had an adverse effect on levels of self-esteem, which decreased levels of frustration tolerance, and thus higher levels of hostility among depressed youths. The indirect effects of father absence on hostility through self-esteem, frustration tolerance, as well as through self-esteem and frustration tolerance serially accounted for 28%, 24%, and 24% of the total effect, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study tested a serial mediation model of self-esteem and frustration tolerance as mediators between father absence and hostility among depressed youths. The findings strengthened our understanding of the potential mechanism underlying the association between self-esteem and frustration tolerance, which may provide useful guidance for future intervention programs.

Patterns of Father Involvement and Child Development among Families with Low Income

This study examined patterns of father involvement and their relations with social, behavioral, and cognitive development among low-income children < 5 years. Latent class analysis on data from 2650 fathers (Mage = 29.35 years) in the Supporting Healthy Marriages program revealed four father involvement patterns: (1) High positive involvement (48%); (2) engaged but harsh discipline (42%); (3) low cognitive stimulation (8%); and (4) lower involvement (2%). The low cognitive stimulation pattern was associated with greater father- and mother-reported child behavior problems and lower child socioemotional and cognitive functioning. The engaged but harsh discipline pattern was associated with more father-reported child behavior problems. These findings highlight the need for active engagement of fathers in parenting interventions to promote child development.

Enhancing Engagement of Fathers in Web-Based Preventive Parenting Programs for Adolescent Mental Health: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Few fathers enrol in web-based preventive parenting programs for adolescent mental health, despite the evidence of the benefits associated with their participation. To inform the development of father-inclusive programs, this study used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) design to determine (a) the relative influence of number of sessions, program benefits, program participants, and user control over program content on fathers' preferences for web-based preventive parenting programs; and (b) whether selected father characteristics were associated with their preferences. One hundred and seventy-one fathers completed the DCE survey, which comprised 25 choices between hypothetical programs. Programs that included the participant's adolescent child (z = 10.06, p < 0.0001), or parenting partner (z = 7.30, p < 0.001) were preferred over those designed for fathers only. Participants also preferred program content that was recommended for them by experts (z = -4.31, p < 0.0001) and programs with fewer sessions (z = -2.94, p < 0.01). Program benefits did not predict fathers' choice of program. Prior use of a parenting program, level of education, perceived role of parenting for adolescent mental health, and being part of a dual-working family were associated with preferences. Application of these findings may improve paternal enrolment in web-based preventive parenting programs.

Safe Father-Child Contact Postseparation in Situations of Intimate Partner Violence and Positive Fathering Skills: A Literature Review

The role of parenting may be challenging and complex for parents who are violent in their relationship and employ poor and negative parenting practices. Synthesizing the knowledge of safe father-child interactions in post-domestic violence incidents and positive fathering skills is the major goal of this review. It also aims to identify the available literature on key factors and conditions around child adjustment following intimate partner violence incidents. In order to achieve these goals, this article applied a narrative style literature review. Electronic databases and websites of children's social services and domestic violence interventions were searched, and 12 research studies met the criteria for the review. The synthesis of the literature suggests that improving custody workers' knowledge of intimate partner violence and developing father's parenting practices during interventions are essential in achieving the safety of father-child interactions. The father's regular participation in perpetrator interventions and parenting programs can prevent them from continuing to abuse their partners and children during visitations. As a result, an approach that acknowledges the multifaceted factors for safe father-child contact and the multifaceted means of reducing child adjustment problems after parental separation was developed.

Envolvimento Paterno em Pais de Crianças em Idade Escolar: Relação com Estresse Parental, Apoio Social e Variáveis Sociodemográficas

Resumo Pretende-se averiguar se o estresse parental e o apoio social contribuem para o envolvimento paterno (EP), e analisar a relação desse envolvimento com variáveis sociodemográficas (pai/criança). Participaram do estudo 92 homens, pais de crianças em idade escolar (6 a 9 anos). Utilizou-se a Escala de Envolvimento Paterno e as adaptações portuguesas do Parenting Stress Index-Short Form e do Social Support Questionaire. Verificou-se que apenas o estresse parental (Interação e Criança) se constitui como preditor do EP (Cuidados e Disponibilidade). Verificou-se ainda uma associação entre o EP e o número de filhos. Os resultados sugerem que níveis elevados de estresse parental poderão ser prejudiciais para o envolvimento do pai em termos de cuidados e disponibilidade, sendo também relevante o maior número de filhos.

Mental health rescue effects of women's outdoor tourism: A role in COVID-19 recovery

Mental and social health outcomes from a portfolio of women's outdoor tourism products, with ~100,000 clients, are analysed using a catalysed netnography of >1000 social media posts. Entirely novel outcomes include: psychological rescue; recognition of a previously missing life component, and flow-on effects to family members. Outcomes reported previously for extreme sports, but not previously for hiking in nature, include psychological transformation. Outcomes also identified previously include: happiness, gratitude, relaxation, clarity and insights, nature appreciation, challenge and capability, and companionship and community effects. Commercial outdoor tourism enterprises can contribute powerfully to the wellbeing of women and families. This will be especially valuable for mental health recovery, following deterioration during COVID-19 coronavirus lockdowns worldwide.

Father Involvement in Early Childhood Care: Insights From a MEL System in a Behavior Change Intervention Among Rural Indian Parents

Introduction: Fathers' involvement in care and early initiation of cognitive development activities have a positive impact on a child's social-behavioral, cognitive-academic and emotional-psychological development. This research study, conducted in Tamil Nadu in south India (2017-19), employed a Cluster Randomized Trial to test the impact of techno-social innovations in improving the involvement of fathers in child-care on child development outcomes. Qualitative studies were used to inform the trial and provide insights into pathways of change. Objective: This paper discusses the design, implementation and results of the study through the monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) framework to provide an understanding of the perceptions among parents and service providers surrounding early child development, the adaptations and learnings through the intervention period, and changes that were brought about through the intervention. Methods: The study was at a Proof of Concept stage, and the primary learning objective was to keep the learning process going through the period of the study, as well as obtain evidence to inform future model development. The measurement for change process in the study occurred in three distinct yet interconnected stages. In the first stage, the program was planned, and the design was refined for both the implementation and evaluation of the project. The next stage was the actual implementation: with a learning loop during the execution of the main intervention. The third stage was intended to reflect on the adaptations and pathways to change through the project period and collate evidence for model refinement. Results and Discussion: The data collected from the formative research was used to design, develop and implement the intervention. Lessons in coordination with the government program not only brought policy visibility, access to secondary data, and enabled field research, but also provided access to a workforce with immense field knowledge and presence in the rural underserved population. In order to continuously inform the implementation process of the intervention, the feedback loops allowed for adaptions to be made at each stage. The findings provide insights for programming early childhood development interventions, especially interventions regarding improving father's involvement in child-care, and ways to leverage evidence in these interventions.

"Though My Father was a Killer, I Need to Know Him": Children born of genocidal rape in Rwanda and their perspectives on fatherhood

BACKGROUND

There is increasing interest in understanding the contributions of fathers to child and family psychosocial conditions. However, fatherhood has been largely unexplored in relation to children born of conflict-related sexual violence.

OBJECTIVE

This paper aims to explore the realities and perspectives of children born of rape during the 1994 Rwandan genocide and in particular, their views on fatherhood and their biological fathers (who were perpetrators of sexual violence).

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS

The sample included 60 youth (29 females/31 males), aged 20/21 years old. Participants were recruited through professional networks in three regions of Rwanda. Youth participants were aware of the circumstances of their birth.

METHODS

In-depth qualitative interviews and focus group discussions were used to garner youth's perspectives and experiences. Inductive forms of data analysis were used whereby through careful reading and coding of transcripts the researchers identified key themes that were emerging from the data.

RESULTS

Youth participants reported ambivalent and often conflictual feelings towards their father, tension-filled relationships with their mother, and maltreatment perpetrated by step-fathers. Despite their absence, fathers held a significant, vital and symbolic role in participants' perceptions of themselves, sense of identity, and family belonging.

CONCLUSIONS

Children born of rape live with the intergenerational legacy of sexual violence in a context of father absence, strained family relationships, and community stigma. Specific father-related challenges need to be addressed when planning family, community and social policies and programs for children and youth in post-conflict societies.

Adolescents' sleep quality in relation to peer, family and school factors: findings from the 2017/2018 HBSC study in Flanders

PURPOSE

While a multitude of studies focused on biological and behavioral determinants of adolescents' sleep quality, a paucity of research examined the impact of social factors. The current study therefore examines the relationship between adolescents' sleep quality and peer, family and school factors.

METHODS

Data of Flemish participants in the 2017/2018 Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey (HBSC) were used, which is representative of the adolescent population (11-18 years) in Flanders. Adolescents' sleep quality was linked to individual-level data on peer relationships (i.e., peer support), family relationships (i.e., family support, perceived family wealth, caregiving responsibilities) and school relationships (i.e., teacher support, school support, school pressure) and contextual-level data on the school culture. Three-level multilevel models were fitted to account for the clustering of individuals (N = 8153) within classes (N = 769) and classes within schools (N = 177).

RESULTS

The individual-level results indicated that adolescents' sleep quality was positively related to family support, teacher support, student support and perceived family wealth. In contrast, adolescents' sleep quality was negatively related to caregiving responsibilities and school pressure. In addition, the contextual-level results pointed out that adolescents tended to report better sleep quality in less-demanding schools.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the need to consider social factors in promoting better sleep in adolescence.

Coparenting Supports in Mitigating the Effects of Family Conflict on Infant and Young Child Development

Family conflict has a profound impact on infants and young children's social-emotional and behavioral development. In work with infants and young children, it is critical to understand the ways in which conflict between coparents infiltrates the family system, creating less than optimum environments for young children. Current research suggests that children who are surrounded by family conflict lag behind in the development of social, emotional, and regulatory skills. Developing a clear understanding of the ways in which children need to be supported through solid coparental relationships is essential because young children's sense of safety and security enables them to optimize their developmental capacities. This report and analysis of supports for coparenting also reviews the literature on the effects of coparental conflict on children. Considering the mother-father-child triangle and the benefits of coparenting to the young child, particularly in families in which conflict exists, enhances our work with families. An exploration of the opportunities for integrating coparenting supports into services for families is discussed, and a case for incorporating these strategies into treatment protocols is made. Recommendations for further research on the use of coparenting supports to buffer the effects of family conflict on infants and young children are proposed.

Adolescents at risk of anxiety in interaction with their fathers: Studying non-verbal and physiological synchrony

Adolescence is a vulnerable period in terms of the onset of anxiety disorders, and dyadic parent-adolescent interactions may play a key role in either increasing or reducing the risk of psychopathologies. This study examines the presence of physiological synchrony (specifically, linkage in interbeat interval series) and non-verbal synchrony in positive and negative interactions between adolescents (aged 13-16) and their fathers. Non-verbal synchrony was quantified through the coordination of the interactants' body movements, using an automated video-analysis algorithm (motion energy analysis). Participants were made up of 53 parent-adolescent dyads, the latter at either low (n = 28) or high (n = 25) risk of anxiety. Adolescents at low risk of anxiety displayed statistically significant levels of non-verbal synchrony with their fathers during positive interactions. Non-verbal synchrony was not found in the father-adolescent dyads featuring adolescents at high risk of anxiety. Physiological synchrony was not significantly present above chance level in either of the groups of adolescents. Overall, the results suggest that adolescents at high risk of anxiety may have difficulties in managing non-distressing interactions with their fathers. The results also suggest that physiological synchrony is not a straightforward phenomenon.

Recruiting fathers for parenting research using online advertising campaigns: Evidence from an Australian study

BACKGROUND

Fathers are underrepresented in parenting and child health research. Given there is a strong link between fathers' parenting behaviour and children's well-being, there is a need to find ways to engage fathers more consistently. The current short report provides information and learnings about recruiting fathers online using social media. Results are drawn from an Australian study that aimed to recruit roughly equal numbers of mothers and fathers to participate in a survey about employment, parenting, and health, using online advertising.

METHODS

First, a series of five Facebook advertising campaigns were run, aimed at "parents" generally (i.e., gender-neutral). A lack of recruited fathers prompted a second series of six Facebook campaigns aimed solely at fathers. All campaigns targeted employed adult parents of children (≤18 years) in Australia using Facebook's "Adverts Manager."

RESULTS

The 11 campaigns recruited a total of 1,468 fathers. The vast majority of these fathers were recruited using the advertisements specifically aimed at fathers (n = 1,441). Gender-neutral campaigns inviting and selecting "parents" to participate in the study overwhelmingly yielded samples of mothers. Similarly, advertisements inviting both "mums and dads" resulted in very low recruitment of fathers.

CONCLUSIONS

The extremely low numbers of fathers recruited using the gender-neutral "parent-focused" campaigns was unexpected. Potential reasons for this include low engagement with gender-neutral parenting terms, and/or that mothers were disproportionally exposed to the Facebook advertisements. These learnings suggest that father-focused recruitment is required to target and engage fathers in parenting research and services.

The Role of Parents and Family Networks in Adolescent Health-Seeking in Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the roles of parents, extended kin, and exchange networks in adolescent health-seeking behavior in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

Prior studies highlight the role of mothers in children's health, whereas fathers, extended kin and other network partners remain largely unexamined. The gender intensification hypothesis suggests that adolescents gravitate toward same gender parents for advice and assistance with health-related issues. A more expansive view of the hypothesis suggests that other same gender adults may also be important sources of support.

METHOD

Survey data were used from a random sample of 2,084 youth ages 13-17 collected in urban and rural communities in southwestern Ethiopia. Sources of advice, treatment, and accompaniment to get treatment were examined. Random intercept logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with receipt of formal health care.

RESULTS

Fathers and mothers played an important role in all phases of adolescent health-seeking behavior. Fathers' involvement was especially common in rural areas and more so with boys than girls. Extended kin and exchange networks also played a role and were even more important for boys in female-headed households, suggesting they may have substituted for absent fathers.

CONCLUSION

Adolescents rely heavily on parents and other adults for health advice and treatment. Who children go to for assistance is highly gendered, especially in rural areas.

IMPLICATIONS

Studies of adolescent health-seeking and interventions designed to improve health services utilization need to recognize the important involvement of parents and other closely related adults in advising youth and accompanying them to get treatment.

Types of Parenting of Fathers during Early Childhood: A Q Methodological Approach

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine types of parenting among fathers. The characteristics of parenting each type in early childhood were identified by systematically analyzing and classifying father’s perceptions of parenting using the Q-methodology, which places importance on the perspective of the performer.

Methods

The Q-method, which is effective for measuring individual subjectivity was used. The subjects in this study were 50 fathers with young children (2~36 months).

Results

Four parenting types were identified analyzing the subjective perceptions of fathers with young children about parenting. One type was centered on character development. Another was centered on social development. A third was centered on physical health and development. The fourth was centered on building values.

Conclusion

Parenting education programs should be developed based on type-specific characteristics and further research should investigate the effects of father’s parenting type.

Vasopressin Differentially Affects Handgrip Force of Expectant Fathers in Reaction to Own and Unknown Infant Faces

The underlying mechanisms of paternal responses to infant signals are poorly understood. Vasopressin has previously been proposed to affect these responses. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject design (N = 25 expectant fathers), we examined the effect of vasopressin administration on the use of excessive handgrip force during exposure to infant crying versus matched control sounds, while participants saw morphed images representing their own infant versus an unknown infant. We found that, compared to placebo, AVP administration elicited more excessive force while viewing an unknown infant image compared to viewing the image representing one’s own infant, while the reverse was true under placebo. The results are discussed in light of vasopressin’s role in parenting and parental protection among human fathers.

Fathers of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Infants and Toddlers - Experiences, Needs, and Challenges

Studies on fathers with deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children are quite rare in deaf education; if they are conducted, they narrowly focus on preschool-age or school-age children. The study reported here presents data from a survey on 92 fathers of very young DHH children with a mean age of 26 months. Questionnaires were used to measure the impact of children's hearing loss on parenting, the frequency of fathers' participation in early intervention appointments, and the level of fathers' involvement in daily care as well as in early intervention activities. Furthermore, information on fathers' perceived support from early intervention agencies, general self-efficacy, parenting self-efficacy, and marital satisfaction was assessed. The results confirmed data from other studies addressing fathers with children who have a disability. In particular, a strong relationship between parenting self-efficacy, perceived support by early intervention agencies and activities, and impact of child's hearing loss on parenting became evident. This indicates the importance of participation and involvement of fathers in early intervention activities; therefore, early intervention services must enable fathers to participate as much as possible in sessions.

Association of Maternal and Paternal Depression in the Postnatal Period With Offspring Depression at Age 18 Years

Importance

Paternal depression during the postnatal period has been associated with adverse child outcomes. Family environment has been reported as a pathway for risk transmission from fathers to children. The influence of paternal depression during the postnatal period on offspring depression remains to be clarified.

Objective

To investigate the association between paternal depression in the postnatal period and offspring depression and explore potential mediating and moderating factors that influence any association between paternal and offspring depression.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective study of a UK community-based birth cohort (the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) of parents and their adolescent offspring investigated associations between paternal depression during the postnatal period and offspring depression at age 18 years. We tested a hypothesized moderator (ie, sex) and conducted path analysis to examine hypothesized mediators (ie, depression in the other parent, couple conflict, and paternal involvement and emotional problems, conduct problems, and hyperactivity in offspring at age 3.5 years) of the associations between both paternal and maternal depression and offspring depression. Data collection for the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children began in 1991 and is ongoing. Data analysis for this study was conducted from June 2015 to September 2018.

Exposures

Depression symptoms in fathers at 8 weeks after the birth of their children.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Offspring depression symptoms at age 18 years, using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes.

Results

A total of 3176 father-offspring pairs were analyzed; of the children, 1764 were girls (55.5%) and 1412 (44.5%) were boys. Paternal mean (SD) age at delivery was 29.6 (9.6) years. The offspring of fathers who had depression during the postnatal period were at increased risk of experiencing depression symptoms at age 18 years (β = 0.053 [95% CI, 0.02-0.09]). The association is mediated by maternal depression at 8 months after birth (β = 0.011 [95% CI, 0.0008-0.02]; 21% [0.011/0.053]) and conduct problems at 42 months after birth (β = 0.004; [95% CI , -0.00004 to 0.009]; 7.5% [0.004/0.053]). Couple conflict and paternal involvement do not mediate this association. The increased risk is seen in girls but not boys (interaction β = 0.095; P = .01).

Conclusions and Relevance

The association between paternal depression in the postnatal period and depression in girls at age 18 years is partially explained by maternal depression. Couple conflict and paternal involvement were not found to play a role in the risk of transmission; this contrasts with the role that couple conflict was found to play in the risk of childhood behavior problems. Conduct problems in childhood appear to be a pathway for risk transmission between paternal depression and subsequent depression in offspring at age 18 years.

Self-Injury Among Left-Behind Adolescents in Rural China: The Role of Parental Migration and Parent-Child Attachment

Previous studies have indicated that self-injury is a maladaptive coping strategy with a high prevalence among left-behind adolescents in rural China. However, few studies have been conducted on the factors influencing left-behind adolescents' self-injury. The current study explored the roles of parental migration and parent-child attachment on self-injury. In total, 1110 adolescents were selected from four rural middle schools in Hunan province. Data on demographic and left-behind characteristics were collected and the Adolescent Self-Harm Scale and Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment were administered. The results indicated that compared with non-left-behind children and children with one parent migrating, there was a higher prevalence of self-injury among children with two parents migrating. Those with lower levels of parent-child attachment had a higher prevalence of self-injury than those with higher levels of parent-child attachment. There were also significant differences in terms of frequency, severity, and overall level of self-injurious behavior by patterns of parental migration and levels of parent-child attachment. Thus, parental migration, parent-child attachment, and the interaction between parental migration and mother-child attachment can predict adolescents' self-injury.

Father-Daughter Bonds: A Comparison of Adolescent Daughters' Relationships With Resident Biological Fathers and Stepfathers

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the interpersonal dynamics of closeness are different in stepfather-stepdaughter versus father-daughter relationships during adolescence.

BACKGROUND

Establishing a general process model of the relational factors contributing to greater closeness between fathers and daughters is a preliminary step toward examining variations in such processes.

METHOD

The data were from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, a nationally representative sample of adolescents. Respondents were female adolescents who were living with either a biological father (n = 1,881) or stepfather (n = 273) and reported on the availability and involvement of their (step)fathers, as well as the communication and closeness in their relationship with him.

RESULTS

Involvement and communication were predictors of closeness in both types of relationships, however, communication was a stronger predictor of closeness between stepfathers and stepdaughters. For adolescent girls living with a stepfather, greater involvement with their stepfathers was associated with greater closeness to their nonresident biological fathers. The length of the relationship between stepfathers and stepdaughters was not associated with levels of closeness.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these findings suggest that stepfather-stepdaughter relationships reflect similar interpersonal dynamics as father-daughter relationships but that establishing and maintaining these relationships through meaningful communication may be particularly important for stepfathers and stepdaughters.

IMPLICATIONS

Practitioners working to help stepfamilies build stronger relationships may want to stress that investing in shared activities and maintaining meaningful communication can be particularly important for establishing and maintaining positive relationships between stepfathers and stepdaughters.

Mapping developmental changes in perceived parent–adolescent relationship quality throughout middle school and high school

This study examined changes in adolescents’ perceived relationship quality with mothers and fathers from middle school to high school, gender differences, and associated mental health consequences using longitudinal data from the New England Study of Suburban Youth cohort (n = 262, 48% female) with annual assessments (Grades 6–12). For both parents, alienation increased, and trust and communication decreased from middle school to high school, with greater changes among girls. Overall, closeness to mothers was higher than with fathers. Girls, compared to boys, perceived more trust and communication and similar levels of alienation with mothers at Grade 6. Girls perceived stronger increases in alienation from both parents and stronger declines in trust with mothers during middle school. Increasing alienation from both parents and less trust with mothers at Grade 6 was associated with higher levels of anxiety at Grade 12. Less trust with both parents at Grade 6 and increasing alienation and decreasing trust with mothers in high school were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms at Grade 12. Overall, girls reported having higher levels of anxiety at Grade 12 compared to boys. Findings on the course of the quality of parent–adolescent relationships over time are discussed in terms of implications for more targeted research and interventions.

Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation among Irish Undergraduate College Students

This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among 220 first year undergraduate university students in Ireland. Data were collected using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the Suicidal Behaviours Questionnaire. Findings indicated that 59% of participants experienced depressive symptoms and 28.5% had suicidal ideation. Financial stress and poor relationships with both parents, increased the odds of experiencing depressive symptoms. Sexual orientation, financial stress, and poor relationships with fathers, increased the odds of experiencing suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was also higher in those who had sought help in the past from mental health professionals. Nurses need to be aware of the factors associated with mental ill-health in this population.

Grandparent support of mothers caring for a child with a disability: Impacts for maternal mental health

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Mothers who are primary carers of children with disabilities experience more mental health problems than mothers of typically developing children. We aimed to update and extend research into mothers' perceptions of grandparent support with care, and impacts for maternal psychological well-being, because although contemporary grandparents live longer they also work longer.

METHODS

Surveys were completed by 72 mothers of clients (aged ≤8 years) of an Australian non-government disability agency. Mothers reported levels of practical and emotional support, face-to-face contact, and affectional solidarity with maternal and paternal grandparents. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was the dependent variable.

RESULTS

Mothers indicated high to very high levels of psychological distress. As in previous comparable surveys, most support was offered by maternal grandmothers who had more contact and closest relationships with mothers. Maternal distress was related to maternal grandmothers' health and relationships with maternal grandfathers. Face-to-face contact and closeness of relationships were strongly linked to provision of support.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Grandparents are important supports for mothers of children with disabilities: mothers lacking support from their own parents are particularly vulnerable. Clinicians should actively facilitate grandparent involvement, and promote extended family relationships.

Recruiting, Retaining and Engaging Men in Social Interventions: Lessons for Implementation Focusing on a Prison-based Parenting Intervention for Young Incarcerated Fathers

Recruiting, retaining and engaging men in social interventions can be challenging. The focus of this paper is the successful implementation of a parenting programme for incarcerated fathers, delivered in a Young Offender Institution (YOI) in Scotland. Reasons for high levels of recruitment, retention and engagement are explored, with barriers identified. A qualitative design was employed using ethnographic approaches including participant observation of the programme, informal interactions, and formal interviews with programme participants, the facilitators and others involved in managing the programme. Framework analysis was conducted on the integrated data set. The prison as the setting for programme delivery was both an opportunity and a challenge. It enabled easy access to participants and required low levels of effort on their part to attend. The creation of a nurturing and safe environment within the prison classroom facilitated engagement: relationships between the facilitators and participants, and between the participants themselves were key to understanding high levels of retention and engagement. The most fundamental challenge to high engagement levels arose from clashes in embedded institutional ways of working, between the host institution and the organisation experienced in delivering such intervention work. This threatened to compromise trust between the participants and the facilitators. Whilst adding specifically to the very sparse literature on reaching incarcerated young fathers and engaging them in parenting work, the findings have transferability to other under-researched areas: the implementation of social interventions generally in the prison setting, and engaging marginalised fathers in parenting/family work in community settings. The paper highlights ways of overcoming some of the challenges faced.

Father Involvement and Behavior Problems among Preadolescents at Risk of Maltreatment

Although there is a well-established connection between father involvement and children's positive behavioral development in general, this relation has been understudied in more vulnerable and high-risk populations. The aims of this study were to examine how the quantity (i.e., the amount of shared activities) and quality (i.e., perceived quality of the father-child relationship) of father involvement are differently related to internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among preadolescents at risk of maltreatment and test if these associations are moderated by father type and child maltreatment. A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). Generalized estimating equations analysis was performed on a sample of 499 preadolescents aged 12 years. The results indicated that higher quality of father involvement was associated with lower levels of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems whereas greater quantity of father involvement was associated with higher levels of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. The positive association between the quantity of father involvement and behavior problems was stronger in adolescents who were physically abused by their father. The association between father involvement and behavior problems did not differ by the type of father co-residing in the home. The findings suggest that policies and interventions aimed at improving the quality of fathers' relationships and involvement with their children may be helpful in reducing behavior problems in adolescents at risk of maltreatment.

Envolvimento Paterno aos 24 meses de Vida da Criança

RESUMO O estudo investigou o envolvimento paterno de 27 pais adultos que tinham um filho/a com 24 meses. As respostas dos pais foram examinadas através de análise de conteúdo, com base em três dimensões: interação, disponibilidade e responsabilidade. Os resultados revelaram que os pais se relacionavam com o filho conforme as necessidades e capacidades da criança, entre elas a de mais autonomia. Os pais relataram que se envolviam em atividades de cuidado, sobretudo auxiliando o filho a dar conta de suas demandas. Também destacaram que interagiam e estavam disponíveis para o filho e revelaram preocupações sobre ele. Entretanto, a participação do pai foi percebida como menor quando comparada à da mãe, mesmo quando o pai compartilhava os cuidados e as responsabilidades.

Parenting in On/Off Relationships: The Link Between Relationship Churning and Father Involvement

Family systems theory points to the interconnected nature of dyadic relationships within the family unit, arguing for attention to how the parental relationship shapes their ties to and interactions with their children. Grounded in family systems theory, we consider how relationship churning-defined as being in an on-again/off-again relationship with the same partner-is associated with father involvement. We use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine how father involvement among relationship churners compares with father involvement among those in three other relationship types (measured during the first five years of the focal child's life): stably together relationships, stably broken-up relationships, and repartnered relationships. First, we find that churning fathers remain more involved with their 9-year-old children than do parents who stably break up or repartner, but they are less involved than those who are stably together. Second, lower relationship quality among churners-and, to a lesser extent, repartnering and childbearing with a new partner-explains some of the differences in father involvement between churners and the stably together. Third, these differences are most apparent among parents not living together when father involvement is measured. Taken together, the focus on relationship churning extends prior research on the association between relationship transitions and father involvement by separating relationship instability from partner change.

Fathers' Involvement: Correlates and Consequences for Child Socioemotional Behavior in the United Kingdom

This study investigated longitudinal relationships between fathers' involvement, as measured by reading, and child socioemotional behavior between infancy and age 7 in 9,238 intact two-parent families from the U.K. Millennium Cohort Study, a national cohort of British children born between 2000 and 2002. Once a variety of covariates and the potential bidirectional nature of relationships were taken into account, a path model showed that fathers' involvement with their children in infancy significantly predicted better socioemotional behavior at age 3, although the relationship was not strong. Fathers' reading with their children between ages 3 and 7 was not significantly associated with child socioemotional behavior, but mothers' reading with their children at age 3 was significantly associated with improved child socioemotional behavior at ages 3 and 5. Results also suggested that parenting in the 21st-century British context remains fairly gendered. Both mothers and fathers were more likely to engage in physical activities with their sons and artistic activities with their daughters. Fathers' reading was socially patterned in predicted directions.

Social–ecological predictors of externalizing behavior trajectories in at-risk youth

Extant research consistently links youth externalizing problems and later maladaptive outcomes, and these behaviors are particularly detrimental given their relative stability across development. Although an array of risk and protective factors for externalizing problems have been identified, few studies have examined factors reflecting the multiple social–ecological levels that influence child development and used them to predict longitudinal trajectories of externalizing problems. The current study examined externalizing behavior trajectories in a sample of 1,094 at-risk youth (539 boys, 555 girls) from the Longitudinal Studies in Child Abuse and Neglect multisite longitudinal study of child maltreatment. Normed Child Behavior Checklist externalizing scores were used to estimate group trajectories via growth-based trajectory modeling at ages 10, 12, 14, and 16 using the SAS PROC TRAJ procedure. Model fit was assessed using the Bayes information criterion and the Akaike information criterion statistics. Analyses revealed optimal fit for five distinct behavioral trajectories: low stable, mid-increasing, mid-decreasing, medium high, and high stable. Multinomial logistic regressions revealed that a combination of risk and protective factors at individual, family, school, and neighborhood levels contribute to distinct trajectories of externalizing problems over time. Predictors of low and decreasing trajectories can inform interventions aimed at addressing externalizing problems among high-risk adolescents.

Paternal Mental Health: Why Is It Relevant?

Father's mental health is an emerging area of interest that is beginning to be recognized in research, and to a lesser extent in clinical practice and society. Fathers are part of a parenting dyad with 2 partners who are responsible for their children's emotional development. Similar to mothers, the risk for mental health problems increases once a male becomes a father, but there is limited research examining this issue. The purpose of this review is to present the available literature on father's mental health and its effect on child emotional health through various mechanisms. In general, father's mental health was found to be related to increased child internalizing and externalizing behaviors, but each disorder had different risk factors, and a unique effect on parenting behaviors and the child's emotional health. The most developed paternal mental health literature is focused on depression. However, key conceptual and methodological problems exist that may limit our understanding of paternal depression. Additionally, the focus on paternal depression may not accurately represent the largest risk for paternal psychopathology and the resultant child mental health outcomes because men have an increased likelihood of displaying externalizing behaviors. Implications for research, clinical practice, and policy are discussed.

The Relationship Between Father Involvement and Child Problem Behaviour in Intact Families: A 7-Year Cross-Lagged Study

This study investigated the cross-lagged relationship between father involvement and child problem behaviour across early-to-middle childhood, and tested whether temperament modulated any cross-lagged child behaviour effects on father involvement. It used data from the first four waves of the UK's Millennium Cohort Study, when children (50.3 % male) were aged 9 months, and 3, 5 and 7 years. The sample was 8302 families where both biological parents were co-resident across the four waves. Father involvement (participation in play and physical and educational activities with the child) was measured at ages 3, 5 and 7, as was child problem behaviour (assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). Key child and family covariates related to father involvement and child problem behaviour were controlled. Little evidence was found that more father involvement predicted less child problem behaviour two years later, with the exception of father involvement at child's age 5 having a significant, but small, effect on peer problems at age 7. There were two child effects. More hyperactive children at age 3 had more involved fathers at age 5, and children with more conduct problems at age 3 had more involved fathers at age 5. Child temperament did not moderate any child behaviour effects on father involvement. Thus, in young, intact UK families, child adjustment appears to predict, rather than be predicted by, father involvement in early childhood. When children showed more problematic behaviours, fathers did not become less involved. In fact, early hyperactivity and conduct problems in children seemed to elicit more involvement from fathers. At school age, father involvement appeared to affect children's social adjustment rather than vice versa.