Enhancing Parenting Skills Among Nonresident African American Fathers as a Strategy for Preventing Youth Risky Behaviors
January 22nd, 2010 Posted by: admin
Abstract This study evaluated the effectiveness of a theoretically based, culturally specific family intervention designed to prevent
youth risky behaviors by influencing the parenting attitudes and behaviors of nonresident African American fathers and the
parent–child interactions, intentions to avoid violence, and aggressive behaviors of their preadolescent sons. A sample of
158 intervention and 129 comparison group families participated. ANCOVA results indicated that the intervention was promising
for enhancing parental monitoring, communication about sex, intentions to communicate, race-related socialization practices,
and parenting skills satisfaction among fathers. The intervention was also beneficial for sons who reported more monitoring
by their fathers, improved communication about sex, and increased intentions to avoid violence. The intervention was not effective
in reducing aggressive behaviors among sons. Findings are discussed from a family support perspective, including the need
to involve nonresident African American fathers in youth risky behavior prevention efforts.
youth risky behaviors by influencing the parenting attitudes and behaviors of nonresident African American fathers and the
parent–child interactions, intentions to avoid violence, and aggressive behaviors of their preadolescent sons. A sample of
158 intervention and 129 comparison group families participated. ANCOVA results indicated that the intervention was promising
for enhancing parental monitoring, communication about sex, intentions to communicate, race-related socialization practices,
and parenting skills satisfaction among fathers. The intervention was also beneficial for sons who reported more monitoring
by their fathers, improved communication about sex, and increased intentions to avoid violence. The intervention was not effective
in reducing aggressive behaviors among sons. Findings are discussed from a family support perspective, including the need
to involve nonresident African American fathers in youth risky behavior prevention efforts.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- DOI 10.1007/s10464-009-9290-4
- Authors
- Cleopatra Howard Caldwell, University of Michigan School of Public Health 109 Observatory Street Ann Arbor MI 48109-2029 USA
- Jane Rafferty, University of Michigan Program for Research on Black Americans, Research Center for Group Dynamics, Institute for Social Research Ann Arbor MI USA
- Thomas M. Reischl, University of Michigan Prevention Research Center of Michigan, School of Public Health Ann Arbor MI USA
- E. Hill De Loney, Flint Odyssey House 1225 Martin Luther King Drive Flint MI USA
- Cassandra L. Brooks, University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry, Prevention Research Center of Michigan, School of Public Health Ann Arbor MI USA
- Journal American Journal of Community Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2770
- Print ISSN 0091-0562
