Residency differences between fathers with and without disabilities in the United States

Objective: This study examines the residential status of fathers by disability status. We also explore whether paternal residency varies by different types of disability. Background: Earlier studies have found that racial and ethnic minority fathers and those of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to live apart from their children. However, the residency status of fathers with disabilities is not well understood. Methods: We used data from the 2011–2019 National Survey of Family Growth (N = 6,477). Multinomial regression models estimated the odds ratios of paternal residency by disability status and type of disability, net of covariates. Results: Disabled fathers were more likely to live apart from at least some of their children than nondisabled fathers, but the disparities were significant only for those with multiple disabilities (two or more types of disabilities) after adjusting for socioeconomic covariates. The higher likelihood of living apart from their children was particularly evident for fathers with cognitive and independent living disabilities. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of providing social and community supports and economic resources for the residential status of disabled fathers. Further research is needed to better understand the unobserved, underlying risk factors of their nonresidential status. Implications: The findings highlight the importance of including disabled fathers in fatherhood programs.