Unpacking the mechanisms of the DADAE program: how fathers promote social emotional well-being in primary school-aged girls

<p dir="ltr">Social emotional well-being is recognised as a key predictor of positive mental health outcomes across the lifespan. The Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered (DADAE) program has led to positive outcomes on primary school aged girls' social-emotional well-being, however the mechanism driving these effects are unclear. Using data from the DADAE community trial which recruited 158 fathers (M [SD] age: 41.95 [5.32]) and 192 daughters (M [SD] age: 8.35 [1.85]) this study employed a two-armed randomised control trial design to investigate the factors mediating this effect. Mediation analysis revealed father-daughter relationship quality, co-parenting quality, and father-daughter connectedness (expressed through increased time together, attentiveness, praise, and warmth), significantly contributed to daughters' enhanced well-being development. In contrast, improvements in physical activity and screen time were not significant mediators. These results highlight the importance of father-daughter relationship, co- parenting and connectedness, as key factors facilitating girls' well-being outcomes. Future programs designed to enhance young girls' well-being should consider these factors as a useful mechanism for supporting girls' positive development trajectories and emotional resilience.</p>