@article{1421,
  keywords = {Parenting, Fatherhood and father involvement},
  author = {Jay Fagan and Natasha Cabrera and Rachel Ghosh},
  title = {Explaining the long reach of prenatal behaviors and attitudes in unmarried men at birth on father engagement in early and middle childhood and adolescence},
  abstract = {<p>The current study examined three research questions: (a) Are unmarried at birth fathers{\textquoteright} prenatal and birth-related behavioral, attitudinal, and identity adjustments directly related to father engagement in child-related activities during early childhood and father{\textendash}child closeness in middle childhood and adolescence? (b) Do father engagement in child-related activities during early childhood, coresidence, and coparenting at age 5 mediate the association between unmarried fathers{\textquoteright} prenatal and birth-related variables and father{\textendash}child relationship in middle childhood and adolescence? (c) Do father{\textendash}child closeness, coresidence, and coparenting in middle childhood mediate the association between fathers{\textquoteright} prenatal and birth-related variables and father{\textendash}child relationship during adolescence? Using a subsample of Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing data (N = 2,647), we found support for our hypotheses that fathers{\textquoteright} prenatal and birth-related variables significantly predicted father{\textendash}child engagement during early childhood and father{\textendash}child closeness during middle childhood and adolescence, although not all prenatal and birth-related variables are related to outcomes during each stage of childhood development. Father involvement and coparenting cooperation significantly mediated the associations among fathers{\textquoteright} prenatal and birth-related variables and father{\textendash}child closeness at ages 9 and 15. Our findings indicate that researchers, practitioners, and policymakers should take advantage of the prenatal period and direct resources to facilitate and strengthen prospective unmarried fathers{\textquoteright} early relationships with their partners and children.</p>
},
  year = {2022},
  journal = {Developmental Psychology},
  url = {https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2023-08698-001?doi=1},
}