COVID-19 and the relationships and involvement of nonresident fathers.

OBJECTIVE

To support nonresident fathers in maintaining involvement and relationships with their children during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must understand how such fathers have been impacted thus far by the pandemic.

BACKGROUND

All families have been impacted by the pandemic, but fathers who do not reside with their children are particularly likely to be negatively impacted. Social distancing, restrictions on travel, job loss/economic downturn, family court closures, and numerous other effects of the COVID-19 crisis impact the ability of nonresident fathers to maintain relationships and involvement with their children.

METHOD

The current study analyzed retrospective data from 373 nonresident U.S. fathers to assess perceived parenting and coparenting changes during the pandemic, as well as whether coparenting relationships and mental health were associated with their involvement and relationships with their children.

RESULTS

On average, fathers' involvement, father-child relationship quality, and coparenting support declined, but wide variability also existed, with a substantial minority of fathers reporting increased involvement. Coparenting support was positively associated with current levels of involvement and relationship quality as well as changes to both since the pandemic, but mental health was inconsistently associated with outcomes.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

To keep these average declines from becoming permanent, future research should investigate what factors foster higher involvement and improved relationships. Practitioners should offer additional support to nonresident fathers to promote their involvement and relationships in ways compatible with evolving restrictions.