A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of a Responsible Fatherhood Program:the Case of Tyro Dads

Background and Purpose. Despite the growth of responsible fatherhood programs, few of these programs have been rigorously evaluated with randomized controlled trials to determine whether the programs improve fathers’ relationship with their children. Using a randomized controlled trial design, we evaluate the effectiveness of an Ohio-based fatherhood program (“TYRO Dads”) in improving the quantity and quality of father-child relationship among low-income, primarily unmarried, nonresidential fathers by analyzing data collected at three time points: baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3 months after the intervention. We first test whether fathers who participated in the fatherhood program reported greater improvement over time in the quantity and quality of father-child interactions (primary outcomes) as well as parenting efficacy, father role identity, and coparenting (secondary outcomes), compared to those who attended a one-time informational meeting. Second, we examine whether parenting efficacy, father role identity, and coparenting could account for the intervention effects. Finally, we test whether fathers’ residential status and reports of personal challenges moderate the primary outcome of the intervention.

Methods. Eligibility criteria for participants included an adult male (i.e., 18 years or older) who was a father of at least one biological child under the age of 19 and had household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Participants were recruited from 9 cities in Ohio. 252 fathers at 17 sites were randomly assigned to two groups, 137 fathers to a five-week fatherhood program and 115 to control group. The primary endpoint was the quantity and quality of father-child interactions 3 months after the intervention. We used a mixed ANOVA and structural equation models to test our hypotheses.

Results. The results of mixed ANOVA revealed that the intervention group showed greater improvement in the quality of father-child interactions, parenting efficacy, and coparenting relationship. The results of structural equation modeling identified two mediators that help to explain the intervention effects: The treatment had positive effects on parenting efficacy and coparenting, which in turn were positively associated with both quantity and quality of father-child interactions. The results revealed no moderation effects for residential status and fathers’ challenges.

Conclusions and Implications. Fathers who participated in the fatherhood program reported improvement in the quality of relationship with their child, the mother of their child, and confidence in their parenting ability over time. Although the program participation did not necessarily increase the levels of father-child interactions over time, it appears that TYRO Dads program was successful in improving the relationship with the child’s mother and parenting efficacy.