Effects of a father-daughter physical activity intervention delivered by trained facilitators in the community setting on girls' social-emotional well-being: A randomized controlled trial

Dev Psychol. 2023 Oct;59(10):1852-1866. doi: 10.1037/dev0001609.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of the Dads And Daughters Exercising and Empowered (DADEE) program on daughters' social-emotional well-being when delivered by trained facilitators. Fathers (n = 158; Mage = 41.95 ± 5.32 years; 86% Australian born) and daughters (n = 193; Mage = 8.35 ± 1.85 years) from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, were randomized into (a) the DADEE intervention or (b) a wait-list control. At baseline and 3 months, fathers, daughters, and mothers completed validated scales of daughters' social-emotional well-being (main outcome of interest), daughters' self-esteem, and other family-related outcomes. Intervention daughters improved their social-emotional well-being from father and mother perspectives compared to the control group (d = 0.51-0.64). Intervention effects were observed for the father-daughter relationship, indicators of father involvement, fathering warmth, coparenting, and family-related well-being, but not daughters' self-reported self-esteem and family-related well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Emotions*
  • Exercise
  • Fathers
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nuclear Family*

Associated data

  • ANZCTR/ACTRN12616001270404