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Fathering in a Pandemic: Low-Income Black Fathers' Experiences and Mental Health Stressors
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Fathering in a Pandemic: Low-Income Black Fathers' Experiences and Mental Health Stressors

Adaobi Anakwe, Keon L Gilbert, Trang Pham, Wilson Majee, Destini Goodwin and Rhonda BeLue
American journal of men's health, v 20(3), 15579883261445254
May 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883261445254
PMID: 42136017
url
https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883261445254View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Adaptation, Psychological Adult Black or African American - psychology COVID-19 - epidemiology COVID-19 - psychology Father-Child Relations Fathers - psychology Focus Groups Humans Interviews as Topic Male Middle Aged Pandemics Parenting - psychology Poverty - psychology Qualitative Research SARS-CoV-2 Stress, Psychological - psychology White Mental Health
COVID-19 interventions disrupted family life, disproportionately affecting low-income Black fathers. Although family relationships are critical aspects of men's mental health and overall well-being, studies examining the effect of the pandemic from a Black fathering lens are sparse. This study explored Black fathers' experiences and adaptive responses to fathering during the pandemic, highlighting mental health consequences of their experience. Data was collected through interviews with Black fathers participating in a fatherhood-focused program in a Midwestern U.S. urban area. The average age of the participants was 33 years, half were unmarried (50%), most had one biological child (58%), many earned less than $10,000 USD annually (42%), and most had at least a high school degree (89%). Seventeen fathers (six in two focus groups and eleven individual interviews) were interviewed from February to July 2021. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. Five themes were identified from the data. Men consistently despite enduring that impacted their A primary adaptation in response to these multilevel stressors was from disease. Fathers felt that the isolation from their children, due in part to increased maternal gatekeeping, consequently . This study provides valuable insight into Black fatherhood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings indicate that COVID-19 strained already difficult parenting relationships and constrained father engagement, creating mental health consequences for some Black fathers.

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