Ann Arbor Times

A recent study highlights the impact of fathers living with their children on the development of strong, enduring relationships during the adolescent years. The research, conducted by the University of Michigan, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and The Ohio State University, places emphasis on father-child relationships, which are less frequently studied compared to mother-child relationships.

Published in the journal Family Relations, the study underscores that "Living in the same home, especially in recent years, was the strongest predictor of a close father-child bond during adolescence," regardless of the marital status of the parents. This research showcases the use of advanced machine learning techniques in family studies to enhance understanding of adolescent development.

Kaitlin Ward, a researcher at the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work and co-author of the study, stated, “Fathers are often left out of research, but their perspectives matter.” She explained that it is challenging to study fathers due to the lack of data, as mothers are more likely to respond to surveys in long-term studies.

The study included responses from nearly 3,000 participants in the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, making it unique in its inclusion of a wide range of racially and economically diverse fathers from the U.S. According to the findings, consistent and simple involvement from fathers fosters closeness during the teenage years.

Garrett Pace, the study's lead author and assistant professor at UNLV, emphasized the importance of daily interactions, saying, “When fathers regularly talk to their kids, help with homework, and show interest in their lives, it strengthens their relationships over time…These everyday interactions, especially in later childhood, are key to developing lasting closeness.”

The research team also comprises Joyce Lee, an assistant professor at OSU, and Olivia Chang, a researcher from the University of Michigan.