What Is Associated with Noncustodial Fathers’ Satisfaction with Visits with Their Children

Akiko Yoshida, University of Wisconsin at Whitewater
Loretta E. Bass, University of Oklahoma

This study examines factors associated with nonresident fathers’ high satisfaction with frequency of visits with noncustodial children – a relatively understudied topic in the fatherhood literature. The dataset used in this study is the male respondent file of the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) 2002, Cycle 6. We use a subsample of 349 nonresident fathers who reported they visited their non-custodial (biological or adopted) child(ren) aged 5 to 18 at least once within the last year, and assess whether fathers derive satisfaction from the quantity of visits with children, or from certain qualities of visits. Logistic regression results show that, controlling for other variables, nonresident fathers are more likely to report satisfaction with the frequency of visits when they visit often, and spend time on outings. This study suggests that these two factors are key to understanding what makes nonresident fathers feel they are fulfilling their role.