Kari Adamsons

An Updated and Expanded Meta-Analysis of Nonresident Fathering and Child Well-Being

Since Amato and Gilbreths (1999) meta-analysis of nonresident father involvement and child well-being, nonmarital childbirths and nonresident father involvement both have increased. The unknown implications of such changes motivated the present study, a meta-analytic review of 52 studies of nonresident father involvement and child well-being. Consistent with Amato and Gilbreth, we found that positive forms of involvement were associated with benefits for children, with a small but statistically significant effect size. Amounts of father-child contact and financial provision, however, were not associated with child well-being. Going beyond Amato and Gilbreth, we analyzed the associations between different types of fathering and overall child well-being, and between overall father involvement and different types of child well-being. We found that nonresident father involvement was most strongly associated with childrens social well-being and also was associated with childrens emotional well-being, academic achievement, and behavioral adjustment. The forms of father involvement most strongly associated with child well-being were involvement in child-related activities, having positive father-child relationships, and engaging in multiple forms of involvement. Moderator analyses demonstrated variation in effect sizes based on both study characteristics and demographic variables. We discuss the implications of these findings for policy and practice.

Association of fathers' feeding practices and feeding style on preschool age children's diet quality, eating behavior and body mass index ☆

The associations of parental feeding practices and feeding style with childhood obesity have gained more attention in the literature recently; however, fathers are rarely included within these studies. The aim of this research was to determine the relationship of paternal feeding practices on child diet quality, weight status, and eating behavior, and the moderating effect of paternal feeding style on these relationships in preschool age children. This study included a one-time, one-on-one interview with biological fathers of preschoolers (n = 150) to assess feeding practices (Child Feeding Questionnaire), feeding style (Caregiver Feeding Style Questionnaire), child eating behaviors (Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire), and diet quality (24 hour recall, Healthy Eating Index). Height and weight for each father and child were also measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) or BMI z-score calculated. Linear regression was used to test the relationship between paternal feeding practices, style and child diet quality and/or body weight. Overall, the findings revealed that a fathers feeding practices and feeding style are not associated with childrens diet quality or weight status. However, child eating behaviors are associated with child BMI z-score and these relationships are moderated by paternal feeding practices. For example, child satiety responsiveness is inversely (β = -.421, p = 0.031) associated with child BMI z-score only if paternal restriction scores are high. This relationship is not significant when paternal restriction scores are low (β = -.200, p = 0.448). These results suggest that some child appetitive traits may be related to child weight status when exposed to certain paternal feeding practices. Future studies should consider the inclusion of fathers as their feeding practices and feeding style may be related to a childs eating behavior.

Predictors of relationship quality during the transition to parenthood

Objective: The present study examined predictors of relationship quality among a sample of first-time parents. Background: The transition to parenthood engenders both joys and challenges for parents and has been a focus of interest to scholars for decades. On average, couple relationship quality declines following the birth of a first child, but research has moved beyond averages and focused instead on uncovering factors that lead some couples to improve in relationship quality and others to decline. Methods: Using data collected from 29 first-time parent dyads, this short-term longitudinal study examined the ways in which similarity between mothers’ and fathers’ role expectations at birth, similarity of individual parents’ ideal versus actual parenting responsibilities at six months, and parents’ satisfaction with the division of childrearing responsibilities at six months were related to parents’ reports of relationship quality at child age six months. Results: Regressions revealed that mothers’ relationship quality was predicted by their satisfaction with the division of childrearing responsibilities. Partners’ relationship quality was predicted by mothers and partners holding similar beliefs about the importance of partners fulfilling various roles and marginally by whether partners’ ideal division of role responsibilities matched the actual division of responsibilities. Conclusion: Although limited by the small sample size, these results suggest that expectations regarding parenting role responsibilities are an area worthy of further research. Just as premarital programmes encourage couples to discuss areas of difference before marriage, prenatal couples should be encouraged to resolve differences in their expectations of one another as parents.

Parents’ Fathering Identity Standards and Later Father Involvement

Based on propositions from identity theory, this study used a sample of 1,596 coresident couples from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study to examine whether parents’ fathering role centrality standards and fathers’ status centrality at the time of their child’s birth were associated with mother and father reports of father involvement 1 and 3 years later. Mothers and fathers who rated fathering roles as more important reported greater father involvement at both Years 1 and 3; centrality of the father status was associated with father reports of involvement at both years, and mother-reported involvement at Year 3. Interactions between fathers’ and mothers’ role centrality standards, and between parents’ role centrality standards and father status centrality, were found for mother reports of involvement at Year 3. Implications for research, practice, and theory are discussed.

Quantity versus quality of nonresident father involvement: Deconstructing the argument that quantity doesn’t matter

ABSTRACT Over the last few decades, numerous studies have examined the impact of nonresident fathers on the well-being of their children, including two meta-analyses. Such research consistently has demonstrated that when nonresident fathers are involved with their children in positive ways, their children benefit substantially; however, studies also have found that the amount of nonresident father contact, in and of itself, typically is not associated with children’s well-being. Some scholars, practitioners, and policymakers have framed the nonsignificant associations between contact and child well-being as an argument against joint physical custody. This paper examines why such reasoning is flawed, and why both quality and quantity of nonresident father involvement are necessary to consider when wanting to promote the well-being of children.

A pilot study of low-income mothers and fathers of preschool age children to determine the relationship of food security and nutrition assistance on feeding style and child body weight

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate the association of household food security status and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation with parental feeding style and child body mass index (BMI) in low-income households. Mother/father dyads (n = 52) with preschool aged children were interviewed and BMI measured. Food security status was not associated with feeding style but mothers’ food insecurity was associated with lower children’s BMI z-scores (β = −.31, p = 0.03). Fathers participating in SNAP had lower odds of an authoritarian feeding style (odds ratio = 0.17, p = 0.05). The relationship of food security or SNAP participation with childhood obesity needs further investigation between mothers and fathers.

A bioecological view of interracial/same-race couple conflict

Purpose – The purpose if this study is to examine differences in conflict management strategies, relational satisfaction and social support of individuals in same-race and interracial relationships. Additionally, the authors examined associations between self-reported and observed measures of conflict management strategies. Design/methodology/approach – The current study used Bronfenbrenner’s (2005) bioecological theory as an organizing framework. Twenty individuals in interracial and same-race relationships were recruited from a large Northeastern US university. Self-report and observational measures of conflict management strategies were obtained as were individuals’ self-reported levels of relational satisfaction and social support. Findings – Results indicated a few differences in conflict management strategies between individuals in same-race and interracial dyads and no differences in social support or satisfaction. Observational measures of conflict management were largely uncorrelated with their c...

Father Involvement and Father–Child Relationship Quality: An Intergenerational Perspective

SYNOPSIS Objective. The present study looks at predictors that may be associated with father–child relationship quality and whether relationship quality appears to be transmitted across generations. Design. This study includes 2,970 U.S. families who participated in the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study. Structural equation modeling was used to assess associations between fathers’ relationship with paternal grandfathers (PGF) during their own childhood and when their own children are 1 year old, father involvement at age 1, and child reports of father-child relationship quality at age 9. Results. Paternal grandfathers involvement with fathers during childhood was positively associated with the father-paternal grandfathers relationship at child age 1, which in turn was associated with greater father involvement at age 1. More father involvement at age 1 was associated with child reports of better father-child relationships at age 9. The pathways from paternal grandfathers involvement during fathers’ childhood and father–paternal grandfathers relationships at age 1 to father–child relationship quality at age 9 were fully mediated by father involvement at age 1. Conclusions. Patterns of father involvement and the quality of father–child relationships tend to be passed down across generations. To ensure an active, positive father involvement and its associated benefits for children, parenting interventions should focus promoting positive fathering behaviors to promote positive relationships with children in their own and future generations.

How Are Fathers’ Demographic Characteristics Related to Preschool-Age Children’s Weight and Obesity Risk Factors?

ABSTRACT Fathers (n = 149) of preschool children were interviewed using the Child Feeding, Role of the Father (ROF), and ROF at Mealtimes (ROFM) questionnaires to determine whether fathers’ demographic characteristics are associated with child overweight. Low-income was associated with higher pressure to eat (p = .006) and perceived their child as higher weight (p = .001). Higher education level was associated with lower ROF (p = .018) and ROFM (p = .002) and higher child diet quality (p = .002). Father’s BMI was positively associated with ROFM (p = .008). Certain fathers may be important targets in childhood obesity prevention programs.

Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Children's Contact Refusal of Parents Following Divorce

ABSTRACT This article describes the development of a self-report measure to assess children refusing contact with their parents following divorce or separation. Two samples of young adults were collected to conduct an exploratory factor analysis (N = 96) and a confirmatory factor analysis (N = 332). The fit of the CFA was found to be adequate. Comparison to qualitative descriptions of participants’ families indicated good validity. The Contact Refusal Scale also correlated appropriately with related measures. The results suggest that the Contact Refusal Scale may be a useful measure in better understanding the complex relationships and actions that follow parental divorce or separation.