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Toward Father‐friendly Parenting Interventions: A Qualitative Study
Author(s) -
Sicouri Gemma,
Tully Lucy,
Collins Daniel,
Burn Matthew,
Sargeant Kristina,
Frick Paul,
Anderson Vicki,
Hawes David,
Kimonis Eva,
Moul Caroline,
Lenroot Roshel,
Dadds Mark
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.297
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1467-8438
pISSN - 0814-723X
DOI - 10.1002/anzf.1307
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , facilitator , thematic analysis , psychology , perception , intervention (counseling) , focus group , qualitative research , developmental psychology , relevance (law) , social psychology , sociology , social science , neuroscience , psychiatry , anthropology , political science , law
Levels of father participation in parenting interventions are often very low, yet little is known about the factors which influence father engagement. We aimed to qualitatively explore perceived barriers to, and preferences for, parenting interventions in a community sample of fathers. Forty‐one fathers across nine focus groups were interviewed using a semi‐structured interview. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Key barriers to father participation identified included: the perception that interventions are mother‐focused; beliefs about gender roles regarding parenting and help‐seeking; mothers’ role as ‘gatekeeper’; lack of knowledge and awareness of parenting interventions; and lack of relevance of interventions. Fathers reported preferences for specific content and intervention features, facilitator characteristics, practical factors, and highlighted the need for father‐targeted recruitment and advertising. Many of the barriers and preferences identified are consistent with previous research; however, fathers’ beliefs and attitudes around gender roles and help‐seeking, as well as the perception that interventions are predominantly mother‐focused, may be key barriers for community fathers. Strategies to overcome these barriers and better meet the needs of fathers in promoting and delivering parenting interventions are discussed.