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Abstract
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PURPOSE
Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explore the impact of father-figures' involvement on reducing both dating violence and sexual risk among a national sample of Black American youth well as the possible mediating effect of dating violence on the relationship between father figure involvement and sexual risk behaviors.
METHODS
To explore this phenomenon, sexually active Black adolescents between the ages of 13-21 with a romantic partner in the previous 18 months were selected (N = 422) from wave II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.
RESULTS
The analyses indicated that overall, perceived closeness to father figures reduced dating violence victimization among Black youth. When separated by gender, our hypothesis for male respondents was supported indicating that perceived closeness with their father figures resulted in a reduction in dating violence. However, the same hypothesis was not supported for female respondents. On the other hand, perceived closeness to father figures resulted in lower sexual risk behaviors for girls.
CONCLUSION
Given the study's findings, researchers, practitioners, and policy makers should consider the importance of the father-child relationship in reducing problem behaviors among Black adolescents. In particular, emphasis should be given to the quality of the father-child relationship rather than general father involvement in reducing dating violence victimization and risky sexual behavior among sexually experienced Black adolescents. |