Fathers' Count Study

Title of Study: Father's Count Study

North Carolina State University will conduct a study to investigate how fathers/father figures, peers and contextual factors relate to the delinquent behaviors in Latino and African American adolescent boys. The study will conduct three waves of surveys with adolescent minority boys and minority fathers/father figures in three US regions. The long-term objective is to establish an empirically validated longitudinal model that can serve as the foundation for prevention and intervention efforts. Specifically, the project will attempt to empirically validate a theoretical model of father/father figure personal problems, parental behaviors by fathers/father figures, peer factors, and community contextual factors relate to delinquent behaviors in Latino and African American adolescent boys across three years of high school; and to empirically establish the relationships of how father/father figure, peer, and contextual factors relate to delinquency for two ethnic groups (Latino vs. African American) and for fathers vs. father figures (e.g., stepfathers, boyfriends, uncles). Project performance will be measured by the project's adherence to its established timeline and by the quality of deliverables. Applicant requested $992,243. OJJDP intends to fund the balance of the project ($534,965) in FY08, contingent upon available funding. CA/NCF