Abstract
The current study represents a preliminary validation of the Multidimensional Father Involvement Scale (MFIS), a measure to assess father involvement among cohabiting and non-cohabiting low-income fathers of children (6 months– 11 years old). The 43-item scale includes items modified from the Inventory of Father Involvement (A. Hawkins et al., 2002) and Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Birth Cohort (Bronte-Tinkew et al., 2007) and additional items to assess indirect behavioral and nonbehavioral (affective, cognitive, and ethical) involvement. Study 1, which included interviews with low-income fathers (15 Black and 4 Latino), supported face and construct validity. Study 2, which included 125 (61.6% White, 16.8% Black, and 15.2% Latino) low-income cohabiting fathers, supported concurrent and discriminant validity. Although confirmatory factor analysis did not support the hypothesized factors, the MFIS had strong internal consistency (α = .95) and appears to be a promising measure for assessing a broad range of father involvement among low-income and racial minority fathers.
Recommended Citation
Gee, Christina B.; Hwang, Sun Young; and Kim, Barunie
(2023)
"Preliminary Validation of the Multidimensional Father Involvement Scale for Low-Income Fathers,"
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Vol. 69:
Iss.
2, Article 4.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/mpq/vol69/iss2/4