Multidimensional Social Support, Well-Being and Parenting among Black Fathers: A Profile-Oriented Approach

• In Event: Poster Session 08
  In Poster Session: PS 08 Topic - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

Compared to Black women, studies indicate that Black men have smaller support networks and report fewer help-seeking behaviors (Goodwill et al., 2018; Woodward et al., 2011). Though research indicates that social support serves a critical role in promoting well-being, few studies have examined the concerted efforts of Black fathers’ support systems in relation to parenting. This investigation utilizes a profile analysis to understand social support patterns among Black fathers. The specific aims of this investigation are to: 1) identify profiles of support across various domains (general; parenting) and contexts (family; friends; community); 2) explore how these profiles are associated with parenting efficacy and involvement and 3) examine associations with fathers’ well-being (depression).

The current investigation utilizes data from the Representations of Fatherhood: Roles, Awareness, and MEaning (REFRAME) study, which includes a national sample of 785 Black fathers (M=39 years, SD=9.98) with children between the ages of 8 and 17 (M=12.03 years, SD=5.95; 56% male). Fathers represented all regions in the U.S. including the Southeast (38.9%), Northeast (21.3%), Midwest (18.3%), Southwest (11.3%), and the West (10.2%). Eighty seven percent were biological fathers and approximately 60% were married or currently living with their partner. Fathers completed a 30-minute survey. Within the general support dimensions, there were 3 subscales: family (“I can count on my family when things go wrong?”), friends (“I can talk about my problems with my friends?”), and community (“I can get what I need in my community?”). For parenting support, participants were asked how often do they seek or receive parenting information or advice from: parents, siblings, friends, online, counseling, and religious communities. Fathers also completed measures of depression symptoms (“In the past 7 days, have you felt hopeless?”), home involvement (“How often do you talk about different jobs they can have when they grow up?), school involvement (“How often have you met with your child’s teacher?”), and parenting efficacy (“Do you believe that you have all the skills necessary to be a good father to your child?”).

Using Mplus (Muthén & Muthén, version 8.0), a latent profile analysis was conducted to identify social support profiles among Black fathers. Analyses revealed that an 8-profile solution fit the data most optimally (see Table 1). Latent class probabilities for most likely latent class membership ranged from 81%-96%. Identified profiles were: 1) Low Overall Support (10%); 2) General Family Support (10%); 3) Proximal Support (13%); 4) Outside Support (5%); 5) Moderate Parenting Support (19%); 6) Low Parenting Support (24%); 7) High Multi-Domain Support (15%); and 8) High Parenting Support (4%). A graphic summary of the profiles is presented in Figure 1. Fathers in the Proximal Support and High Multi-Domain Support groups reported greater parenting efficacy, home and school involvement; while the Low Overall Support and the Outside Support Profiles were lower (p<.05). The Low Overall Support and High Multi-Domain Support profiles reported greater depressive symptoms compared to the other profiles (p<.05). Findings from this investigation highlight within-group variation in Black fathers’ social support and how they are associated with parenting and well-being.

Authors

• Margarett McBride, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  Presenting Author

• Shauna M. Cooper, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  Non-Presenting Author

• Marketa Burnett, University of Connecticut
  Non-Presenting Author

• Janae Shaheed, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  Non-Presenting Author