Date Approved

2022

Degree Type

Open Access Senior Honors Thesis

Department or School

Psychology

First Advisor

Heather Janisse

Second Advisor

Natalie Dove

Third Advisor

Ann R. Eisenberg, PhD

Abstract

Research has indicated that child behavior is highly influenced by both the quantity and quality of father involvement. Despite the awareness of the important role father’s play, many parenting studies fail to focus on the father-child relationship. Furthermore, lower income families are especially important to examine due to the increased risk of lower father involvement. Identifying sources of resilience in low-income communities is needed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between father involvement, socioeconomic status and child behavior outcomes. The data was derived from a sample of 52 parent-child dyads recruited from an urban Head Start program. The results indicated that lower father involvement and lower socioeconomic status resulted in increased child behavior problems such as emotionally reactiveness. Less father involvement was also correlated with increased withdrawn child behavior. Understanding the relationship between father involvement, socioeconomic status and child behavior problems can be beneficial in reducing childhood inequalities.

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