Date
5-20-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Theresa Allen
Keywords
nonresident African American father, father involvement, father roles, coparenting, support systems
Disciplines
Counseling | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Occil, Jennifer Juanita, "Exploring Nonresident African American Fathers’ Experiences of Fatherhood" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8554.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8554
Abstract
The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore nonresident African American fathers’ experiences of fatherhood. Although research has examined the influence of father involvement on children’s social, educational, and psychological outcomes, limited qualitative research has focused on the lived experiences of nonresident African American fathers, particularly those with higher levels of education and from the fathers’ perspectives. Family systems theory guided this study, focusing on differentiation of self, interdependency, and boundary setting. The central research question was, how do nonresident African American fathers describe their experiences of fatherhood? For this study, six nonresident African American fathers who had obtained a minimum of a bachelor’s degree participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed with thematic analysis, resulting in four themes: sphere of influence, my presence has purpose, in my child’s best interest, and my collective village. These themes captured participants’ reflections on their own fathering experiences, their commitment to putting their children first so they could stay involved in their lives, the challenges of coparenting, and the role of support systems in their involvement. The findings highlight the importance of educational attainment in influencing fathers’ engagement, particularly in their children’s academic development. These fathers’ narratives reflected their psychological growth and resilience as they navigated the challenges of staying connected with their children. This study extends the theoretical and empirical literature by highlighting the experiences of a previously underrepresented group and underscores the relevance of family systems theory in understanding African American father involvement.
