The Importance of Fathers in Social and Behavioral Development of Children at-Risk of Maltreatment

Background: Research shows the significant contribution of fathers in promoting children’s social and behavioral development. While positive father-child interactions have been linked to reduced behavior problems and positive peer relationships in the general population, these relationships have been understudied in children who have been maltreated or are at risk of maltreatment. In addition, little is known about the differential effects of quality versus quantity of father-child interactions and the factors that are associated with these two forms of father-child interactions. To fill the gaps in the literature, the current study examined 1) how the quality and quantity of father-child interactions are associated with children’s behavior problems and peer relationships and 2) what factors predict the quality and quantity of father-child interactions in children at risk.

 Methods: This study used data from Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) that included children and families who have been involved or at high risk of being involved with Child Protective Services (CPS). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis was conducted on a sample of 681 children, aged 12 years who reported having a father or a father figure. The quality of father-child interaction was measured using a 6 item scale (e.g., level of closeness, trust, caring). The quantity of father-child interaction was measure using a 9 item scale (e.g., go shopping, play sports). Internalizing and externalizing behavior problems were measured using the Youth Self-Report (YSR). Seven self-report items (e.g. having a best friend, level of satisfaction with friendships) on peer relationships were used to assess children’s perceived peer relationships. Child age, gender, race, household income, marital status, domestic violence, and CPS involvement were examined as predictors of father-child interactions.

Results:Higher quality of father-child interactions were significantly associated with positive peer relationships and lower levels of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in children at risk of child maltreatment. In contrast, the quantity of father-child interactions in the last month (i.e., quantity of time the father devotes to the child through shared activities) was not associated with any of the outcomes. The quality and quantity of father-child interactions were predicted by a different set of predictors; No CPS involvement or domestic violence in the past year and male gender predicted higher quality of father-child interactions. On the other hand, presence of a father or father figure in the home and the biological father-child relationship (compared to non-biological relationships) were associated with greater quantity of father-child interactions.

Conclusion: This study improves our understanding of the role of fathers in social behavioral development of high-risk children by highlighting the influence of the quality, not quantity, of father-child interactions. The results also suggest that having a father in the home may not be sufficient; creating a safe living environment in which there is no concern for domestic violence and child maltreatment may be critical in building the healthy, strong, and trustful father-child relationship that fosters the child’s healthy social and behavioral development.