Associations between Paternal Co-residence and Child Health among African American Children. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barcelona, Veronica; Flowers, Ambre; Caceres, Billy A.; Crusto, Cindy A.; Taylor, Jacquelyn Y.
• Is Part Of: Western journal of nursing research. Volume 45:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 201
• Page End: 207
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: African Americans -- fathers -- asthma -- blood pressure -- obesity; Nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Research -- West (U.S.) -- Periodicals; Nursing -- West (U.S.) -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing Research -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- Recherche -- États-Unis (Ouest) -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- États-Unis (Ouest) -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers; Recherche; États-Unis (Ouest); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 610.730702
• DOI: 10.1177/01939459221115152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0193-9459

Abstract

We investigated the associations between paternal co-residence and asthma, obesity, and blood pressure among children aged 3–5 years. Mother/child dyads ( N = 250) self-identified as African American or Black. Mothers reported on father's co-residence and child's asthma diagnosis. Height, weight, and blood pressure were measured. Regression models were used to examine paternal co-residence with child health outcomes (i.e., asthma, obesity, and blood pressure). Confounders included maternal and child age, child sex, maternal smoking, and insurance status. Children who lived with their fathers were less likely to have asthma ( OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.18–0.79), though this association was not significant after adjustment for confounders ( aOR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.22–1.01). Paternal co-residence was not significantly associated with child obesity ( aOR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.35–1.73), systolic (β = 0.57, SE = 1.2, p = .64), or diastolic (β = 1.91, SE = 1.0, p = .07) blood pressure. More research is necessary to understand the diversity of family living situations and how they affect child health.