Effects of a Father–Daughter Physical Activity Intervention Delivered by Trained Facilitators in the Community Setting on Girls’ Social-Emotional Well-Being: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of the Dads And Daughters Exercising and Empowered (DADEE) program on daughters’ social-emotional well-being when delivered by trained facilitators. Fathers (n =158; Mage = 41.95+5.32 years; 86% Australian born) and daughters (n= 193; Mage = 8.35+1.85 years) from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, were randomized into (a) the DADEE intervention or (b) a waitlist control. At baseline and 3 months, fathers, daughters, and mothers completed validated scales of daughters’ social-emotional well-being (main outcome of interest), daughters’ self-esteem, and other familyrelated outcomes. Intervention daughters improved their social-emotional well-being from father and mother perspectives compared to the control group (d=0.51–0.64). Intervention effects were observed for the father–daughter relationship, indicators of father involvement, fathering warmth, coparenting, and familyrelated well-being, but not daughters’ self-reported self-esteem and family-related well-being.