Paternal Engagement and Emotion Regulation as Predictors of Adolescent Psychological Outcomes: A Secondary Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: The existing literature on adolescent psychological outcomes has predominantly centered on maternal aspects, leaving the distinct contributions of fathers comparatively underexplored. This gap is even more pronounced within humanitarian settings. Accordingly, the following study seeks to bridge this gap by investigating the association between father engagement and emotion regulation on adolescent well-being and emotion regulation within humanitarian settings in Lebanon.

Methods: The current study employs a cross-sectional secondary analysis using baseline (T0) data from the Sawa Aqwa Family Intervention trial conducted among at-risk adolescents and their caregivers across North Lebanon and the Beqaa governorates. The original sample included 351 adolescents and 388 caregivers, with each family having at least one adolescent aged 12-17 years who met criteria for elevated psychological distress. The primary aim assesses adolescent well-being between families in which a father attended at least one intervention session (n=101) and those with no father attendance (n=243). The secondary aim assesses the association between fathers’ emotion regulation and adolescent well-being and emotion regulation using data from fathers (n=64) and adolescents across intervention and control groups.

Results: The study found a strong association between paternal emotion regulation and adolescent emotion regulation (=.47, p=.00) and well-being (=-.12, p=.05), while controlling for socioeconomic status and exposure to adversity. The study also found a strong association between paternal well-being and adolescent well-being (=.52, p=.00), while controlling for socioeconomic status and exposure to adversity. These findings align with the systemic perspective that emotional functioning is not only shaped by individual factors, but also by relational dynamics and the broader family context.

Conclusions: These findings have important implications, as fathers’ emotion regulation capacities and well-being may influence adolescents’ adjustment within humanitarian settings. Thus, future researchers may prioritize paternal inclusion within family interventions in this context, and explore this association in more depth.