Session: A Case for Focusing on Fathers: Intervention Impacts on Parenting and Co-Parenting Behaviors (Society for Social Work and Research 31st Annual Conference)

Fathers play a unique role in the lives of children and are fundamental to their well-being across the lifespan. Their direct impact through father-child engagement, as well as through their co-parenting relationships is positively associated with children’s emotion regulation and externalizing behaviors. Fatherhood interventions have emerged as significant tools for educating and empowering fathers with child-rearing knowledge and skills, promoting their involvement and support as a family strength. These interventions also promote self-awareness, parenting and co-parenting relationship skills, and fathering identity, all which can influence their well-being and that of their children. In this symposium we will present data from outcomes of three Administration of Children and Families funded evaluations of fatherhood intervention programs. These community-university-partnered projects occurred between 2021-2025 and each evaluate a unique fatherhood intervention.

In the first study, “Exploring the Role of Childhood Adversity in a Responsible Fatherhood Program: A Mixed Methods Study” authors use a convergent mixed methods design to examine childhood adversity experiences of fathers and how participation in the LI Fatherhood Initiative intervention affected their understanding of these experiences and their outcomes. Findings from the 607 fathers who participated in the intervention and 31 who participated in interviews highlight that fathers reported higher than average childhood adversity experiences. While childhood adversity and victimization experiences were not significantly associated with outcomes, fathers described the relationships between childhood adversity experiences on parenting, particularly challenges with emotion regulation. Skills helped them navigate these communication challenges and perspective taking.

In the second study, “Engaging Fathers and Co-Parents together through the Nurturing Dads and Partners (NDAP) Program” authors examined the impact of Nurturing Dads and Partners on co-parenting and parenting outcomes. Data was collected through post-retrospective surveys administered to fathers after participation in NDAP (n = 86) or upon engagement through services as usual at comparison sites (n=24). Study findings highlight that fathers in the intervention reported less parent-child conflict and more positive attitudes about their co-parenting relationship suggesting that NDAP is a promising new model for improving fathers’ co-parenting relationships, father-child relationship, communication skills, and problem-solving skills.

In the last study, “The Influence of the 24/7 Dad Intervention on Men’s Symptoms of Psychological Distress”, authors explore the impact of the 24/7 Dad intervention on the mental health of 480 Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black fathers who participated in the intervention or comparison group. Data on symptoms of anxiety, depression, and hostility was collected at 3 timepoints over 6 months. The mental health of the intervention group continuously improved in every category throughout the 3- and 6-month surveys, highlighting the potential of fatherhood interventions to address paternal mental health.

Fathers are a key component in maintaining healthy families and communities. Fatherhood interventions have great potential for empowering fathers, providing them with the skills and knowledge to have better outcomes as parents, and strengthening families. The findings from these studies show that fathers are positively impacted by fatherhood interventions and the importance of centering the needs and experiences of fathers to strengthen parenting, co-parenting, and ultimately the wellbeing of children.