Non-Resident Father Involvement with Their Two-Year-Old Children: Findings from the ECLS-B.

The purpose of this study was to examine correlates of non-residential father-child involvement with their children at age 2. This study utilized secondary analysis of data collected through the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study--Birth Cohort. Participants included 650 biological fathers who did not reside with their child at age 2. Significant associations were found between levels of non-residential father involvement and the non-residential father's reports of the quality of the relationship with the mother, efficacy as a father, 9-month closeness to baby, attendance of religious services, and belief that father-child play is important. Non-residential fathers who reported higher levels of depression and drug or alcohol abuse were less likely to be involved with their child at age 2. These findings may prove useful in better understanding non-residential fathers' involvement with their children, and particularly for the development of policies and programs to encourage increased father-child involvement. Contains 3 tables. (Author abstract)