Responsible Fatherhood Spotlight: Father Involvement and Social Support.

This factsheet explores the relationship between social support and father involvement. It reviews findings from research studies that indicate fathers who report having high levels of social support experience better psychological well-being and demonstrate more positive patterns of father involvement and coparenting. Studies suggest spousal/partner support is positively associated with fathers' well-being; high levels of program support are associated with higher reports of fathers' parenting skills; fathers who report high levels of tangible or instrumental support report better well-being; availability and influence of social support have been found to vary according to a number of characteristics; levels of social support have been found to have both direct and indirect links to parenting and father involvement; fathers who report receiving spousal/partner support are more likely to consider their role as fathers a high priority; program support is positively related to father involvement and may have a positive association with coparenting; fathers' levels of instrumental support have been associated with their coparenting abilities; and children may benefit indirectly when their parents receive high levels of social support. Data is shared on fathers' social support and father involvement among resident fathers from Child Trends' analyses of data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study baseline and 12-month surveys. The study included 3,712 unmarried couples and 1,186 married couples who were interviewed at the birth of their child. 6 figures, 6 tables, and 60 references.