AI Article Synopsis
- Fathers play a crucial role in child development, yet their perceptions of involvement and peer influences are not well understood.
- A study of 52 urban adult males in New Haven revealed that less involved fathers were more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors.
- The results indicate that denser peer networks often promote negative behaviors like cheating and substance abuse, suggesting that addressing peer norms could improve interventions aimed at male health and fatherhood involvement.
Article Abstract
Fathers can play an important role in child development and family functioning. However, little is known about the influence of paternal perceptions of fatherhood involvement or the influence of fathers' peer networks. We explored the network characteristics (density, closeness, and degree centrality) and peer norms regarding sex, fatherhood, and other risk behaviors of 52 urban adult males in New Haven, Connecticut. Results identify that engagement in high-risk sexual behavior was associated with fatherhood involvement, with 88% of less involved fathers engaging in high-risk sexual behavior (p = .004). Denser networks were positively correlated with unfavorable peer norms such as cheating on a partner or drinking or using drugs (p < .05). Our findings suggest that peer networks are important to father's health and behavior and that father's behaviors may be affected by peer norms. Interventions designed for men may be strengthened by including peers in programming and by addressing norms and norm changing.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3674848 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1557988312467816 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!