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Mapping Risk and Protection: A Scoping Review of Nonresident Fathers' Roles in Child Maltreatment
Jaimie L O'Gara1, Yujeong Chang2, Brianna Lemmons3
1University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, USA.
Trauma, Violence & Abuse
|August 14, 2026
Summary
Nonresident fathers can be both a risk and protective factor for child maltreatment (CM). Their impact depends on factors like involvement, presence, and support, highlighting the need for tailored child welfare approaches.
Area of Science:
- Child Welfare
- Family Studies
- Criminology
Background:
- Paternal roles are increasingly recognized in child welfare.
- Nonresident (NR) fathers' influence on child maltreatment (CM) risk and protection is understudied.
- Limited understanding hinders effective engagement of NR fathers in child welfare services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of risk and protective factors associated with CM/CM risk among NR fathers.
- To synthesize existing research on the multifaceted roles of NR fathers in child welfare outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review of six databases (8,857 titles/abstracts screened).
- Inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed, U.S. samples, CM/CM risk outcomes, ≥70% NR father samples or NR father-specific findings, quantitative methodology.
- 22 studies were included, focusing on residential status and father involvement.
Main Results:
- CM/CM risk was elevated in NR father-families compared to resident father-families.
- Higher likelihood of out-of-home placements, CM reports, and maternal depression were associated with NR fathers.
- Protective factors included NR father presence, frequent contact, financial support, and maternal satisfaction with involvement.
Conclusions:
- NR fathers are not a uniform risk or protective factor.
- Their influence on CM/CM risk is diverse, depending on individual, relational, and contextual characteristics.
- Tailored interventions are needed to effectively engage NR fathers in child welfare.
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