Abstract
This study tested a hypothesized social interaction learning (SIL) model of confidant support and paternal parenting. The
latent growth curve analysis employed 230 recently divorced fathers, of which 177 enrolled support confidants, to test confidant
support as a predictor of problem solving outcomes and problem solving outcomes as predictors of change in fathers’ parenting.
Fathers’ parenting was hypothesized to predict growth in child behavior. Observational measures of support behaviors and problem
solving outcomes were obtained from structured discussions of personal and parenting issues faced by the fathers. Findings
replicated and extended prior cross-sectional studies with divorced mothers and their confidants. Confidant support predicted
better problem solving outcomes, problem solving predicted more effective parenting, and parenting in turn predicted growth
in children’s reduced total problem behavior T scores over 18 months. Supporting a homophily perspective, fathers’ antisociality
was associated with confidant antisociality but only fathers’ antisociality influenced the support process model. Intervention
implications are discussed regarding SIL parent training and social support.
latent growth curve analysis employed 230 recently divorced fathers, of which 177 enrolled support confidants, to test confidant
support as a predictor of problem solving outcomes and problem solving outcomes as predictors of change in fathers’ parenting.
Fathers’ parenting was hypothesized to predict growth in child behavior. Observational measures of support behaviors and problem
solving outcomes were obtained from structured discussions of personal and parenting issues faced by the fathers. Findings
replicated and extended prior cross-sectional studies with divorced mothers and their confidants. Confidant support predicted
better problem solving outcomes, problem solving predicted more effective parenting, and parenting in turn predicted growth
in children’s reduced total problem behavior T scores over 18 months. Supporting a homophily perspective, fathers’ antisociality
was associated with confidant antisociality but only fathers’ antisociality influenced the support process model. Intervention
implications are discussed regarding SIL parent training and social support.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10464-011-9437-y
- Authors
- David S. DeGarmo, Oregon Social Learning Center, 10 Shelton McMurphey Boulevard, Eugene, OR 97401, USA
- Marion S. Forgatch, Implementation Sciences International, Inc., Oregon Social Learning Center, 10 Shelton McMurphey Boulevard, Eugene, OR 97401, USA
- Journal American Journal of Community Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2770
- Print ISSN 0091-0562