The study found that when mothers and fathers enrolled together in 16-week sessions to work on their relationships, their children were much less likely to be depressed, anxious and hyperactive.
“The vast majority of family services -- from parenting classes to home visits -- are really aimed at mothers, while fathers are almost completely overlooked,” said Kyle Pruett, clinical professor of psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine (YSM) and co-author of study.
“The research is clear that the best way to create a healthy environment for children is to engage dads and moms together,” Kyle said.
Previous research has found that kids in the absence of fathers are most likely to suffer from psychological problems and drug addiction.
According to the most recent census statistics, one in three children in the US grow up without fathers. For low-income families, that percentage is even greater.
The Supporting Father Involvement study represents the first clinical trial focussed on encouraging father's involvement in upbringing of kids in low-and middle-income families.
The study compared father-only and father-mother interventions with each other, and evaluated the impacts on parents and children, said an YSM release.
“The bottom line is that parents experienced reduced stress and anxiety when fathers were given parenting and relationship tools and encouragement, especially alongside mothers,” explained Carolyn Pape Cowan, professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and study co-author.
These results are being published in the Journal of Marriage and the Family.
