This chapter describes the theoretical foundations of the Positive Paternal Emotional Responsiveness (PPER) subscale of the Fatherhood Scale, which was designed to assess the childhood paternal bonds of adults. The PPER contains 13 questions that focus on the role of the father in the development of a healthy perception of self. Clients are asked to rate their experience with their father as a caring person and the frequency of paternal expressions of praise and love. The results can be used to identify areas for further exploration in therapy, such as strengths in the relationship between…
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Journal Article
Scott and Crooks (authors of another article in this issue) provide an accounting of the characteristics that are more typical among maltreating than nonmaltreating fathers. Despite the merit in the suggested guidelines for intervention programs, questions may be raised about the relative utility of interventions rather than prevention programs with at-risk males. The effectiveness of one such prevention program (home visiting) is described. (Author abstract modified)
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Journal Article
This study sought to describe fathers' participation in a statewide home-visiting program to prevent child abuse and to assess program impact on their parenting. This randomized trial followed 643 at-risk families for 3 years. Data were collected through program record review, staff surveys, and annual maternal interviews. Participation in visits varied by the parents' relationship and paternal employment, violence, and heavy drinking at baseline. Overall, the program had no apparent impact on fathers' accessibility to the child, engagement in parenting activities, and sharing of…
