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There is a lack of support directed towards the mental health of fathers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aimed to gain insight into the unique mental health support needs of fathers of children with ASD, along with potential barriers and facilitators to accessing support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four fathers of children (aged 8–9 years) with ASD. The support needs of fathers included: social support; practical support; respite; financial support; professional support; and self-care and time to self. Guided by a bioecological framework,…

In early 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a policy statement recognizing that “maternal depression affects the whole family” and urging pediatric providers to “incorporate recognition and management of perinatal depression into pediatric practice.” Soon after, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued new recommendations on interventions to prevent perinatal depression. The convergence of these 2 statements from nationally recognized bodies of experts in evidence-based medicine underscores the urgency of a heightened focus on screening and making referrals for…

Paternal involvement in children's lives is associated with a variety of child outcomes, including improved cognition, improved mental health, reduced obesity rates, and asthma exacerbation. Given this evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics has promoted actions by pediatricians to engage fathers in pediatric care. Despite these recommendations, the mother–child dyad, rather than the mother–father–child triad, remains a frequent focus of care. Furthermore, pediatric care is often leveraged to improve maternal health, such as screening for maternal depression, but paternal health is…

Much research explores the consequences of parenthood for women, but less is known about the health outcomes and trajectories of men who become fathers. This study examines the impact of fatherhood on diverse health behaviors and outcomes among a representative sample of Millennial men in the United States. The results indicate that the transition to fatherhood induces changes in health outcomes and behaviors that are both positive and negative. The study indicates that becoming a father induces weight gain and a decline in self‐reported health but reduces alcohol consumption. Effects on…

Father involvement contributes uniquely to children’s developmental outcomes. The antecedents of father involvement among unmarried, African American fathers from rural areas, however, have been largely overlooked. The present study tested a conceptual model linking retrospective reports of childhood trauma and early adulthood social instability to father involvement among unmarried, African American men living in resource-poor, rural communities in the southeastern United States. Findings suggest that OXTR methylation might be a biological mechanism linking social instability to father…

Objective:To investigate the role of fathers' positive engagement as a protective factor in the development of children's behavior problems and whether this buffering effect differs by family poverty status.Background:Children who have behavior problems at early ages are more likely to show persistent behavior problems over time. Fathers' roles in the development and persistence of child behavior problems have been less investigated than mothers' roles.Method:Longitudinal survey data from 762 constant-resident-father families participating in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study…

This longitudinal study focused on fathers' involvement from the prenatal period through infants' first year in Dominican immigrants (n = 73), Mexican immigrants (n = 65) and African Americans (n = 66) residing in New York City. Fathers' prenatal involvement, the quality of the mother-father relationship, fathers' postnatal involvement with their 1- and 6 month olds and fathers' involvement with their 14 month-olds (i.e., time spent with infant; eating meals with infant; activities with infant) were examined. Father involvement was uniformly high and stable. Fathers' prenatal involvement…

Nonresident fathers can have a significant impact on children's behavioral outcomes. Unfortunately, the impact of nonresident father involvement on the behavioral outcomes of children with child welfare involvement has received scant attention in the literature, a limitation the current study sought to address. A sample of 333 children in state custody in Illinois between the ages of six and 13 participated and were assessed using the externalizing behavior scale of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) at regular intervals throughout their time in care. Father involvement…

This factsheet explores the relationship between social support and father involvement. It reviews findings from research studies that indicate fathers who report having high levels of social support experience better psychological well-being and demonstrate more positive patterns of father involvement and coparenting. Studies suggest spousal/partner support is positively associated with fathers' well-being; high levels of program support are associated with higher reports of fathers' parenting skills; fathers who report high levels of tangible or instrumental support report better well-…

This factsheet explores the relationship between men's prenatal involvement and the quantity and quality of fathers' involvement with their children and partners following the birth. Research is cited that indicates men who are involved with their partners during pregnancy and around the time of birth are likely to exhibit higher levels and quality of involvement with their children following birth. In addition, prenatal involvement may hold benefits for fathers themselves. Studies suggest: fathers' prenatal involvement is significantly related to a higher quantity of involvement following…