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Jansen E, Marceau K, Sellers R, Chen T, Garfield CF, Leve LD, Neiderhiser JM, Spotts EL, Roary M. The role of fathers in child development from preconception to postnatal influences: Opportunities for the National Institutes of Health Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22451. [PMID: 38388196 PMCID: PMC10902630 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
A growing body of literature highlights the important role of paternal health and socioemotional characteristics in child development, from preconception through adolescence. Much of this research addresses the indirect effects of fathers, for instance, their influence on maternal behaviors during the prenatal period or via the relationship with their partner. However, emerging evidence also recognizes the direct role of paternal health and behavior for child health and adjustment across development. This critical review presents evidence of biological and sociocultural influences of fathers on preconception, prenatal, and postnatal contributions to child development. The National Institutes of Health Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program incorporates in its central conceptualization the impact of fathers on family and child outcomes. This critical synthesis of the literature focuses on three specific child outcomes in the ECHO program: health outcomes (e.g., obesity), neurodevelopmental outcomes (e.g., emotional, behavioral, psychopathological development), and positive health. We highlight the unique insights gained from the literature to date and provide next steps for future studies on paternal influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Jansen
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kristine Marceau
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Ruth Sellers
- Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tong Chen
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Craig F Garfield
- Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Leslie D Leve
- Prevention Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Jenae M Neiderhiser
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Erica L Spotts
- Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mary Roary
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
The current article addresses the interests and contributions of fathers to child development and well-being within a reproductive and social justice framework. We present an overview of research on the role of fathers in the lives of children from the prenatal period through early childhood, with an emphasis on fathers as partners and caregivers in promoting the reproductive health and safety of women and the healthy development of young children. We explore especially the challenges of young, at-risk fathers as well as system and practice opportunities that support their contributions as partners and parents. Our goal of the article is to extend the discourse on reproductive and social justice to include the shared responsibility of all parents and facilitate circumstances whereby children experience the support needed to become nurturing caregivers for the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Dukes
- Northside Achievement ZoneMinneapolisMinnesota
| | - Glen Palm
- Department of Child and Family StudiesSt. Cloud State UniversitySt. CloudMinnesota
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Lauen J, Lujan E, Zeanah PD. Special Issue on Infant Mental Health and Reproductive Health and Justice. Infant Ment Health J 2019; 40:605-607. [PMID: 31283029 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth Lujan
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Paula D Zeanah
- Picard Center and College of Nursing, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
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