Non-resident fathers’ relationships with their secondary school age children: Determinants and childrenʹs mental health outcomes

Data from 520 British secondary school age children were used to explore determinants of and mental health outcomes (measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) from their non-resident fathers’ relationships (child-reported fatherʹs involvement and frequency of contact) with them. Frequency of contact was negatively related to time elapsed since parents separated, and was higher if fathers were single than partnered. Compared to White, non-White adolescents reported lower frequency of fatherʹs contact but not lower fatherʹs involvement. Fatherʹs involvement was related positively to motherʹs involvement and negatively to interparental conflict. As a whole, non-resident fatherʹs involvement and frequency of contact did not improve the regression models predicting childrenʹs total difficulties or pro-social behaviour. Even after controlling for other factors non-resident fatherʹs involvement did not predict childʹs difficulties or pro-social behaviour, although frequency of contact was negatively associated with childʹs emotional symptoms. Neither childʹs ethnicity or gender nor motherʹs partner status moderated the link between childʹs mental health outcomes and non-resident fatherʹs involvement or frequency of contact.