Fathers’ Criminal Behavior and Involvement With Children: The Moderating Role of Family Relationships

Abstract

Objective Research indicates that fathers’ criminal behavior can be problematic for children through multiple pathways, yet few studies have examined the effect of fathers’ kinship networks in this process. This study examines the association between fathers’ criminal behavior and involvement with their children and the extent to which a father’s relationships with individuals in his extended family network moderate this association. Method Hierarchical linear modeling was used to predict fathers’ involvement using data from a longitudinal intergenerational study of 335 children and 149 low-income, minority fathers. Measures included 8 father-involvement outcomes, a measure of fathers’ criminal behavior, and 2 moderator variables. Results High-quality relationships between fathers and their male relatives moderated the negative effect of criminal behavior on measures of fathers’ involvement. Criminal behavior was only associated with decreasing levels of father involvement when fathers had low-quality relationships with male relatives. Conclusions Strong and affirmative relationships—with male relatives specifically—may attenuate the adverse effects of antisocial and criminal behavior on fathers’ involvement in at-risk families. Implications for tailoring practice to improve relationships between fathers and male relatives and to enhance fathers’ prosocial involvement are noted.

A randomized controlled trial to improve fathering among fathers with substance use disorders: Fathering in recovery intervention.

“…The associations hold true regardless of father residency or socioeconomic status (Adamsons & Johnson, 2013; King & Sobolewski, 2006). Additionally, involvement and quality interactions can buffer the effects of context such as father criminal legal system involvement (Charles et al, 2018), high parental conflict (Martin et al, 2010; O’Hara et al, 2021; Yoon et al, 2022), and disrupt the intergenerational transmission of SUD (Jessee & Adamsons, 2018; Martin et al, 2010).…”

The Risk of Family Violence After Incarceration: An Integrative Review

“…Given the often-substantial needs related to caretaking and social support (Visher & Travis, 2003), many individuals live with family members and rely on them for help finding employment as well as for crucial emotional support offered by family following release from prison (Uggen et al, 2005; Western, 2018). Overall, the role that family plays in the process of reentry from prison has been well-documented (Naser & La Vigne, 2006), and family members are often cited as a critical source of support for successfully reentry (Charles et al, 2018).…”