Economic Hardship and Adolescent Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Parenting Among Non-Resident Father Families

This study examined the indirect effects of non-resident father involvement and co-parenting on the relations between paternal economic hardship (EH) and adolescent mental health and resilience. Data were drawn from Year 5, Year 9, and Year 15 Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study waves (N = 1,267). Paternal EH predicted worse co-parenting, and more optimal co-parenting was associated with increased father involvement. Non-resident father involvement was low and did not predict adolescent outcomes. However, maternal EH was associated with worse adolescent mental health, and maternal direct engagement was related to increased adolescent resilience. Results indicated that increasing non-resident father involvement and financial support to the resident mother may facilitate resilience and improved mental health among at-risk adolescents.