Black Fathers’ Perspectives About Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress: Results From Focus Groups

Black children in the United States disproportionately experience early childhood adversity and toxic stress, which can lead to long-term negative physical and mental health outcomes. Mothers are traditionally enrolled in intervention programs to help address this while fathers typically are not. Th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Families in society 2024-04, Vol.105 (2), p.295-311
Main Authors: Powe, Paula Marie, VanHook, Cortney, Collier, Allison, Nakhla, Mark, Crum, Isaiah, Hamm, Megan, Miller, Elizabeth
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adversity
Black people
Childhood
Children
Early childhood education
Fathers
Focus groups
Health status
Intervention
Mental health
Mothers
Prevention programs
Professional practice
Public health
Resilience
Social work
Stress
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Summary:Black children in the United States disproportionately experience early childhood adversity and toxic stress, which can lead to long-term negative physical and mental health outcomes. Mothers are traditionally enrolled in intervention programs to help address this while fathers typically are not. This study assessed Black fathers’ perspectives about early childhood adversity and toxic stress to begin to understand this public health concern through their lens. Sixteen self-identified Black fathers watched a six-minute animation about toxic stress, neurodevelopment, and resilience, and engaged in focus group discussions. Fathers identified unique and culture-specific contributors to early childhood adversity and toxic stress, as well as their inherent strengths and needs to help protect children. Implications for social work practice, particularly related to Black father engagement in early childhood prevention and intervention programs, are discussed.
ISSN:1044-3894
1945-1350
DOI:10.1177/10443894231193867