Iraj Poureslami, PhD Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), UBC

1. Assessing the link between father involvement and children’s emotional well-being and behavioral patterns among selected newcomers in the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA), BC Iraj Poureslami, PhD Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), UBC

2. Research team • Iraj Poureslami, HELP/CPHPR - UBC • Clyde Hertzman, HELP – UBC

3. Background • Father involvement: attention, emotional support, and focused care • Cultural beliefs and practices and father involvement - knowledge gap in Canada

4. Aim and Purpose of the Study • This study aimed to assess the immigrant fathers’ involvement with their children's daily life within South Asian and South East Asian newcomer communities • The purpose of this research was to investigate the fathers’ understanding and self-perception of their roles (vs. mothers’ perceptions of their husbands’ roles from the same households) in their children’s emotional health and behavioral pattern

5. Method • Three integrated steps: 1. Studying existing services, models and frameworks for FI programs in BC & across Canada 2. Applying full participatory approaches 3. Knowledge development, exchange, and transfer

6. What we have done… • Developed and tested a FI measurement tool along with a Canadian version of Achenbach's child health and behavior scales • Assessed the face and content validity of the measurement tool • Community member interviews: 160 face-to-face interviews with fathers (in 61 families both parents were interviewed) • Community members focus group sessions (two events with 29 participants) • Key Informants focus group session: 12 policy-makers, service providers and health care professionals participated in a group discussion

7. Demographics of the Participants Mean age: fathers = 44 yr ; mothers = 41 yr Length of time residing in Canada: Ranged from 2 to 10 years; mean 5.6 years 95% of the fathers and 93% of the mothers had obtained high school diploma and/or attended college/university in their home country 45% of the fathers were underemployed, 29% employed, and 26% unemployed

8. Findings • Mothers had dominant role in children’s health and their daily social activities • Fathers had stronger role in financial support of the family; “bread-winner”, and less involved in their children’s social, emotional, and health aspects • Differences were identified b/w mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions in relation to children’s emotional health and behavioural patterns

9. Employment Status and Self-reported FI • Underemployed fathers had less satisfaction in the workplace and at home compared to employed fathers who reported higher levels of job and life satisfaction • Underemployed fathers tended to interact with their children less than their employed counterparts in this study • Underemployed fathers spent far less time with their children (M = 13.29) than those who were employed (M = 25.83)

10. Focus Group Participants’ Comments onBarriersto FI Services • Perception of non welcoming attitude by some service providers • Lack of information regarding FI services in their mother tongue • Energy and efforts on other aspects of migration; settlement, adjustment, employment, housing, etc.

11. SuggestionsMade by Parents-1 • Ways to enhance service accessibility: • Cultural sensitivity of service providers • Presence of bilingual workers / volunteers • Father Involvement Program operating after hours for working dads • Use of ethnic media for publicity and education

12. SuggestionsMade by Parents-2 • Program Components/Approach: • Need to start with own language fathers - feel more comfortable before mixing with others • Need more “champions” (e.g., fathers who speak their home language) in different programs as an “attraction point” • Joint / friendship program with Canadian peer fathers

13. SuggestionsMade by Key-Informants-1 • Integrative services • Advocating for FI program • Both parents involvement needed • Use culturally relevant approaching methods • Centralized information and supports for bridging newcomers to program

14. Suggestions Made by Key-Informants-2 • Cultural competency workshop and training for staff • Reach out to the hiding refugee fathers • Welcoming attitude of the staff • Trust building between staff and the fathers

15. Conclusion • Fathers’ employment status/job satisfaction was a major determinant of father involvement • Fathers’ vs. mothers’ perceptions of FI • Challenges using the standard Achenbach's scales: • Cultural and traditional beliefs and practices • Lack of understanding the terminology used in the scales • Irrelevancy of some items

16. Further Recommendations • Develop and validate culturally relevant child behavior scales • Involve fathers from the community in the development, implementation, and evaluation of FI program • Community-based instead of individual -based approach • Use ethnic media to promote participation of newcomer fathers in family and fathering-related programs

17. Thank you For further information, please contact: Dr. Iraj Poureslami, PhD Research Associate Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), UBC (604) 827-5550 pouresla@interchange.ubc.ca