The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46712

Joan C. Wright, MPH and Cleopatra Howard Caldwell, PhD. School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1420 Washington Heights, M3071, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-615-4992, joancw@umich.edu

Recently, some researchers have found that African American fathers can contribute to the health and well being of their children, even if they do not live in the same household (Zimmerman, Salem, & Notaro, 1995). The results of investigations of the influences of non-resident father involvement on their children indicate that positive father involvement relates to better child outcomes (McAdoo, 1993; Zimmerman, Salem, & Notaro, 2000). Phares (1992) noted that it is the quality not the quantity of time youth spend with their fathers that is important for their well being. How then can we as public health professionals reach out to non-resident African American fathers in an effort to address their needs as parents and prevent youth risky behaviors through strengthening father-son bonds? This paper describes the community-based participatory process used to develop the initial intervention framework for the Fathers and Sons Project. Relying on focus group data from fathers and sons and the expertise of community partners working with African American families, the initial intervention framework consisted of five areas: 1) diversity among families; 2) communication skills; 3) personal relationships and financial responsibilities; 4) modeling positive behaviors; and 5) social support. This framework was expanded based on a comprehensive review of literature, additional focus group data, and results from three pilot cohorts of families participating in the intervention. The resulting theoretically based conceptual model guiding the development and implementation of the Fathers and Sons Intervention will be highlighted in this presentation

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the importance of the community-based participatory research approach for preventive interventions with African American families.
• Be able to link theory to practice in working with African American fathers and sons

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.