Physical and Psychological Well-being in Father-Daughter Dyads:

Abstract

   Background. Adolescent girls’ physical inactivity and mental health challenges are increasing globally, particularly in contexts where sociocultural barriers restrict girls’ mobility. Father-daughter engagement through structured physical activity (PA) and awareness programs has emerged as a promising strategy to address these concerns. Objective. This systematic scoping review aims to synthesize global evidence on intervention-based programs involving father-daughter dyads and examine their impact on physical and psychological well-being. Methods. A systematic search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2014 and May 2025. A total of 36 intervention-based studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria were analysed following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Results. Findings indicate that father-daughter co-participation in structured programs significantly improves physical activity levels, reduces sedentary behaviour and enhances psychological outcomes, including emotional resilience, self-esteem, and relational bonding. Interventions such as Dads And Daughters Exercising and Empowered (DADEE), Run Daddy Run and Healthy Youngsters Healthy Dads (HYHD) demonstrated consistent effectiveness. Key mechanisms underpinning these outcomes include emotional regulation, role-modelling and co-parenting dynamics. Conclusion. Father-inclusive interventions offer a robust and culturally adaptable approach to improving girls’ physical and psychological well-being. These programs also contribute to challenging gender norms and strengthening family relationships. The findings provide actionable insights for researchers, educators, and policymakers to design community-based, gender-sensitive interventions.