Fathering attitudes and behaviors among low-income fathers

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a fatherhood intervention designed to improve the fathering attitudes and behaviors of fathers who are low income from metropolitan and rural communities in Louisiana. The study was successful in recruiting a sample of predominantly African American fathers (N = 57) and retaining the participants over time. An adequate number of fathers achieved the intervention goals to obtain employment, increase their earnings, and complete educational (i.e., Graduate Equivalency Diploma [GED]) training. In addition, after having completed the program, there was a statistically significant improvement in fathers’ relationship with the mothers of their children. Additionally, there were increases in fathers’ positive attitudes about being a father, perceived closeness with their children, amount of contact with their children, and satisfaction with the amount of time spent with their children; however, none of these differences were statistically significant. Most of the fathers gave favorable reports regarding the fatherhood program’s goals and delivery.

KEYWORDS:

• Father involvement
• fatherhood
• fathering attitudes
• low income fathers
• minority fathers

Acknowledgments

The content is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities or the National Institutes of Health. We thank Dr. Margery Williams for her contribution towards the success of this project. We also thank Elizabeth Tournquist for her editorial suggestions.

Funding

The authors wish to thank the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families for the funding and support of this study. This study was partially supported by Grant P20MD002289 from National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities or the National Institutes of Health.

Additional information

Funding

The authors wish to thank the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families for the funding and support of this study. This study was partially supported by Grant P20MD002289 from National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities or the National Institutes of Health.