NO FATHER LEFT BEHIND: EXPLORING POSITIVE FATHER INVOLVEMENT AS A PROTECTIVE FACTOR IN THE PREVENTION OF ADVERSE CHILD OUTCOMES

本论文研究将使用的数据从纵向研究虐待儿童和虐待儿童（LONGSCAN），以探讨父亲参与的作用，在低收入家庭中的忽视风险和不良的儿童后果的减少。本研究的具体目的是：（1）在低收入忽视风险家庭中，检验父亲参与（身体照顾、情感支持、陪伴和经济支持）与儿童幸福感（身体健康、内化和外化行为以及社会能力）之间的直接和间接关系;（2）检验父亲参与与儿童幸福感之间的双向关系。间接影响，将被测试的忽视风险因素（母亲的社会支持，忽视养育行为，家庭家庭功能）。这也是有趣的，研究随着时间的推移，父母间的冲突在儿童的结果中发挥的作用。本论文研究了父亲因素，儿童忽视风险，以及与服务不足和研究不足的人群相关的儿童发展问题（例如，低收入家庭和父亲）。了解这些关系为制定和实施以证据为基础的儿童心理健康计划奠定了基础，这些计划将父亲作为保护因素。

This dissertation study will use data from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) to examine the role of father involvement in the reduction of neglect risk and adverse child outcomes among low-income families. The specific aims guiding this dissertation study are (1) to test the direct and indirect relationships between father involvement (physical care, emotional support, companionship, and financial support) and child well-being (physical health, internalizing and externalizing behaviors, and social competence) among low-income families at risk for neglect; (2) Examine the bidirectional relationship between father involvement and child well-being. The indirect effects that will be tested are neglect risk factors (maternal social support, neglectful parenting behaviors, and household family functioning). It is also of interest to examine the role interparental conflict plays in child outcomes over time. This dissertation study addresses father factors, child neglect risk, and child developmental issues related to underserved and understudied populations (e.g., low-income families and fathers). Understanding these relationships sets the stage for the development and implementation of evidence-based child mental health programs that include fathers as a protective factor.