Effect of nonresident father identity commitment, involvement, and supportiveness on maternal child maltreatment: Possible protective role and pathways of influence

Children living apart from fathers experience higher rates of maternal maltreatment. Previous research has demonstrated that, through involvement with children and support to coparents, nonresident fathers may serve a protective function against maternal maltreatment. Using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (n = 818), the present study considered whether, through their involvement with children and supportiveness to coparents, nonresident fathers who exhibit early identity commitment to fatherhood may be protective against maternal maltreatment. Nonresident fathers who showed high father identity commitment at the birth of their children were more likely to be involved with their children and more supportive of their coparents three years later. Nonresident father involvement was positively associated with their supportiveness to coparents. However, nonresident father involvement was not protective against maternal physical abuse or neglect. Supportiveness of nonresident fathers to coparents was protective against maternal physical abuse – but not neglect – and partially mediated the relationship between nonresident father involvement and maternal physical abuse. Practice and policy implications are discussed.