Understanding non custodial fathers’ relationships with children from resource theory perspectives

The study explored fathers’ involvement in the oldest child’s activities and the quality of the father-child relationship three years after divorce. The sample included 123 unmarried fathers without physical custody of their children, whose oldest child was 11–19 years of age. Fathers’ perceptions of personal resources increased the likelihood of cooperative communication during conflict and coparenting (giving resources), and decreased the likelihood of resource deprivation and frequency of conflict with former spouse (taking resources). High tendencies of giving and low tendencies of taking resources from former spouse (interpersonal resources) influenced involvement of fathers in children’s activities and positive evaluations of the father-child relationship.