https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Cioffi2023

Cioffi, C. C., Browning O’Hagan, A. M., Halvorson, S., & DeGarmo, D. S. (2023). A randomized controlled trial to improve fathering among fathers with substance use disorders: Fathering in Recovery intervention. Journal of Family Psychology, 37(8), 1303-1314. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0001134

This randomized controlled trial of Fathering in Recovery, an intervention for fathers with a history of substance use disorder, tested the intervention’s acceptability, usefulness, and effectiveness for improving parenting knowledge, efficacy, and behaviors. Civilian fathers assigned to the intervention group (n = 21) received parenting-related videos via text message once a week for 6 weeks, along with 3 parent coaching calls. Fathers assigned to the control condition (n = 20) received website links to parenting resources. Fathers self-reported their parenting knowledge, parenting efficacy (i.e., belief in their ability to succeed as parents), parenting behaviors (e.g., ineffective discipline), substance use over the past 30 days, and child behavior problems at baseline and at 6 weeks and 4 months post-intervention. Fathers in the intervention group reported their satisfaction with the intervention and its perceived usefulness at each follow-up. Overall, participation in Fathering in Recovery was related to improved parenting knowledge, efficacy, and behaviors.

https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0001134

Parents
Substance use
Programming

Civilian

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Cioffi, Camille C., Browning O'Hagan, Anastasia M., Halvorson, Sven, DeGarmo, David S.

In early recovery for substance use disorders (SUDs), fathers may experience a desire to become more active in their role as a parent but may need support in using effective parenting strategies. Parent management training programs may be effective for fathers in recovery from SUD as they have been shown to improve parenting knowledge, self-efficacy, parenting practices, and child behavior, as well as decrease parent substance use. Using the Parent Management Training-Oregon model, we adapted a video-based program for text delivery to fathers in their first year of recovery from SUD, the fathering in recovery (FIR) intervention. In this pilot study, we randomized 41 fathers to control or 6 weeks of video content and three brief coaching calls and assessed outcomes in the parenting, child, and substance domains at baseline, 6-week, and 4-month follow-ups. We found FIR was effective for improving parenting knowledge, fathering efficacy, and in reducing fathers’ ineffective parenting. The intervention showed promise for reducing child behavior problems. While larger studies are needed to replicate and build on these FIR findings, our data suggest that FIR holds promise for improving the lives of fathers and their families affected by SUD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Article
REACH Publication

fathers, intervention, parent training, parenting, recovery, substance use disorder, substance use treatment

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2024-07277-001

Research Summary

  February 2024