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from Parenting & Family
Fathers' Involvement And
Children's Developmental Outcomes
By James Phelan, Ph.D.
 Review of study:
Sarkadi, A., Kristiansson, R., Oberklaid, F., & Bremberg, S. (2008). Fathers' involvement and children's developmental outcomes: A systemic review of longitudinal studies. Acta Paediatrica, 97, 153-158.
The authors conducted a systematic review looking at longitudinal evidence on the effects of father involvement on children's developmental outcomes. Databases were searched for studies that measured the involvement of fathers over time. Out of 22 of the 24 studies found, positive effects of father involvement were described. In conclusion, it was determined that active and regular engagement of the father with the child predicted a range of positive outcomes. That proved true in terms of social, behavioral, psychological, and cognitive development. Interestingly, no specific form of engagement was shown to yield a better outcome over another. This said that it didn't matter specifically, what the father did with the child, rather the fact that he was engaged paid huge dividends in the child's development. The authors concluded that father engagement reduced the frequency of behavioral problems in boys and psychological problems in young girls. It also decreased criminality and economic disadvantages. Rightly so, the authors made claim that there was enough support in the literature to urge both professionals and policy makers to improve circumstances for involving fathering.
Updated: 18 April 2008
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