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Journal Article We investigated children and families who were participating in a mentoring program targeting children with incarcerated parents. Using multiple methods and informants, we explored the development of the mentoring relationship, challenges and benefits of mentoring children with incarcerated parents, and match termination in 57 mentor-child dyads. More than one-third of matches terminated during the first 6 months of participation. For those matches that continued to meet, however, children who saw their mentors more frequently exhibited fewer internalizing and externalizing symptoms. In…
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Journal Article We surveyed randomly selected parents in one state (N = 1, 081) to examine sources they used to gain child-rearing information. On average, parents used five sources, most commonly books and family members. Usage patterns generally followed the "digital divide" perspective whereby higher education levels were associated with greater usage. Logistic regression results of Internet use showed, however, that being younger and unmarried increased the likelihood of use, indicating the Internet's potential for reaching potentially vulnerable parents. (Author abstract)
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Journal Article Objective. Although studies have begun to explore the impact of the current wars on child well-being, none have examined how children are doing across social, emotional, and academic domains. In this study, we describe the health and well-being of children from military families from the perspectives of the child and nondeployed parent. We also assessed the experience of deployment for children and how it varies according to deployment length and military service component.Participants and Methods. Data from a computer-assisted telephone interview with military children, aged 11 to 17 years,…
Fact Sheet, Brief
This fact sheet summarizes research showing that children from military families experience above-average levels of emotional and behavioral difficulties and that longer parental deployments are associated with greater difficulties. (Author abstract) Superceded: See http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9568.html red dot icon
Journal Article The first of two publications dedicated to the engagement of non-resident fathers, this issue presents information on fathers' relationships with their children and the system's responsibility to encourage and support those relationships. The first article describes the Quality Improvement Center on Non-Resident Fathers and the Child Welfare System (QIC-NRF), a project that includes a comprehensive needs assessment and literature review and the development of a model program intervention. Qualitative and quantitative data is presented to illustrate barriers to non-resident fathers'…
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Journal Article The Quality Improvement Center on Non-Resident Fathers and the Child Welfare System (QIC-NRF) is described, a project that includes a comprehensive needs assessment and literature review and the development of a model program intervention. Qualitative and quantitative data is presented to illustrate barriers to non-resident fathers' interactions with the child welfare system and promising approaches. 1 figure, 6 tables. 3 references.
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Journal Article Reasons behind fathers' lack of involvement in their children's lives, especially children involved in the child welfare system, are explored, as well as strategies caseworkers can use to involve fathers in child welfare cases. Strategies are discussed for contacting fathers, using a team effort to engagement, developing creative visits between father and child, and supporting quality time. Additional techniques to use with military, incarcerated, and out-of-area fathers are explained. 8 references.
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Journal Article The relevance of father involvement and brain development research to child welfare is discussed, including the influence of advances around brain-based father involvement efforts from the field of early education and care on child welfare workers' practice and courts' decision making. The four stages of implementing a brain-based father initiative are described. 2 figures and 14 references. (Author abstract modified)
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Journal Article A study investigated the effectiveness of the Supporting Father Involvement program that includes two types of interventions: a fathers-only group and a couples group, each lasting 32 hours over 16 weeks. Families who participated in the groups were compared with controls who attended a 3-hour information session on the importance of fathers. Compared to the control group, parents in the couples groups showed increased father involvement, couple satisfaction, and decreased personal and parenting distress. Fathers groups made fewer gains but had more significant positive effects on father…
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Journal Article Findings from in-depth interviews with 24 non-resident fathers are shared and indicate being a non-resident father was emotionally and financially devastating. Fathers experienced feelings of extortion, loss of control, and helplessness, and had little knowledge of how the judicial and child support enforcement systems work. Recommendations for child welfare workers are discussed. 8 references.
