Predictors of Father and Father Figure Involvement in Pre-Kindergarten Head Start.

This study used an ecological framework to examine predictors of paternal involvement in urban Head Start programs among 134 fathers and father figures with preschool-age children. Paternal involvement measures included teacher and father perceptions of participation, as well as amount of time as obtained from daily record sheets. The findings of the study indicated that characteristics of the child, father, family, and Head Start program predicted paternal involvement in Head Start. Fathers were more involved with their sons and with Head Start sites that provided programmatic support for male involvement. Involvement was also positively related to paternal nurturance and mother involvement in Head Start. The results also suggested that teachers were better judges than fathers of the amount of involvement in Head Start. Findings pose implications for Head Start programs. (Contains 59 references.) (Author/KB)