FATHER INVOLVEMENT AND COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES OF PRETERM INFANTS

Objective: To assess the independent effect of father involvement on i ntellectual and behavioral outcome of 985 low birth weight preterm inf ants followed longitudinally from birth to age 3 years as part of the Infant Health and Development Program. Method: The sample for this stu dy is drawn from eight urban sites, composed largely of ethnically div erse and relatively disadvantaged families. On the basis of a combined score for father's stable presence in the home and amount of play wit h the infant, we defined extreme groups of high-involvement fathers (3 3%, n = 305) and low-involvement fathers (16%, n = 148), with the rema inder as a middle group (51%). Results: Most fathers played a meaningf ul role as play partner with their high-risk infants. Approximately 75 % of fathers were reported to play with the baby every day at 12 (peak ), 24, and 36 months. Fathers who were black, younger, had teenage mot hers as companions, or were from low-income families were less involve d with their infants. For black fathers, low family income was signifi cantly associated with low father involvement. Within the black ethnic subgroup only, higher father involvement was associated with improved cognitive outcome. Mean IQ for the high-involvement subgroup was 6.00 points higher than for the low-involvement group even after adjusting for family income, neonatal health, treatment group status, and pater nal age. Conclusion: Father involvement enhances cognitive outcome in black families and may have implications for intervention.