Fatherhood

A Fast Track Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Michael Young, PhD
Katrina R. Johnson, EMBA
Valerie Pineiro, MPH
Christopher B. Smith, MSW, MPA

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a responsible fatherhood program, with a focus on employment.

Methods:

Fathers (n = 195) participated in a 40-hour program, designed to help them improve relationships, parenting skills, and economic stability, including employment. Fathers were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. Intervention fathers received the program and case management. Fathers in the control group received case management. All fathers completed a pretest questionnaire. Then intervention fathers participated in the intervention program. After the intervention, all fathers completed the posttest questionnaire and participated in workforce training. Six months post-program, all fathers completed a follow-up questionnaire.

Results:

There was a statistically significant (p < .01) reduction in unemployment and increase in full-time employment from pretest to posttest and from pretest to follow-up, among participants in both the intervention and control groups. The difference between groups was not statistically significant, but the gains within both groups at posttest were even greater at follow-up (eg, 294% increase in full-time employment from pretest to follow-up among intervention participants).

Conclusions:

Employment status improved for both intervention and control groups. For practitioners seeking to help fathers improve economic stability, these employment results are encouraging.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.12.2.1