The role of fathers in reducing dating violence victimization and sexual risk behaviors among a national sample of Black adolescents

• Structural Equation Modeling is used to explore the impact of fathers on reducing dating violence victimization and sexual risk among Black adolescents.
• Sexually active Black adolescents (13–21) with a romantic were selected (N = 422) from Wave II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.
• Perceived closeness to fathers reduced dating violence victimization among sample.
• Professionals should consider the importance of the father-child relationship in reducing problem behaviors among Black adolescents.

PurposeStructural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explore the impact of father-figures' involvement on reducing both dating violence and sexual risk among a national sample of Black American youth well as the possible mediating effect of dating violence on the relationship between father figure involvement and sexual risk behaviors.MethodsTo explore this phenomenon, sexually active Black adolescents between the ages of 13–21 with a romantic partner in the previous 18 months were selected (N = 422) from wave II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.ResultsThe analyses indicated that overall, perceived closeness to father figures reduced dating violence victimization among Black youth. When separated by gender, our hypothesis for male respondents was supported indicating that perceived closeness with their father figures resulted in a reduction in dating violence. However, the same hypothesis was not supported for female respondents. On the other hand, perceived closeness to father figures resulted in lower sexual risk behaviors for girls.ConclusionGiven the study's findings, researchers, practitioners, and policy makers should consider the importance of the father–child relationship in reducing problem behaviors among Black adolescents. In particular, emphasis should be given to the quality of the father–child relationship rather than general father involvement in reducing dating violence victimization and risky sexual behavior among sexually experienced Black adolescents.