Enhanced Fatherhood Program for Parenting Skills

Overseen By Kaela Byers, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Kansas

Disqualifiers: Incarceration

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

600 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial evaluates the Fatherhood FIRE Program, which helps fathers improve their parenting skills and relationships. It targets fathers aged 18 and older with children up to age 24 who are not incarcerated. The program works by providing education and support to promote responsible fatherhood and healthy family dynamics.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

How is the Enhanced Saint Francis Fatherhood FIRE Program different from other parenting skill treatments?

The Enhanced Saint Francis Fatherhood FIRE Program is unique because it specifically focuses on improving father involvement and parenting skills, which is often overlooked in traditional parenting programs that primarily target mothers. It aims to overcome barriers to father participation and enhance father-infant interactions, making it distinct from other treatments that do not specifically address the role of fathers in early parenting. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Research Team

Jared L Barton, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Kansas

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for fathers with children up to 24 years old who are already participating in the Saint Francis Fatherhood FIRE Program. Fathers who are currently incarcerated cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a father with children who are 24 years old or younger.

Fathers participating in the Saint Francis Fatherhood FIRE Program

Exclusion Criteria

Fathers who are incarcerated

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pre-intervention

Initial assessment of participants' parenting, relationship, and co-parenting skills

1 week

Program Implementation

Participants engage in the Fatherhood FIRE program to improve parenting and relationship skills

16 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for sustained changes in skills and engagement post-program

12 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Enhanced Saint Francis Fatherhood FIRE Program
• Services as Usual Saint Francis Fatherhood FIRE Program

Trial Overview The study evaluates two versions of the Fatherhood FIRE Program: an enhanced version and the standard 'services as usual' version, to see which one better improves fatherhood and family relationships.

Participant Groups

Group I: Enhanced Treatment Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Randomized group of participants receiving an enhanced Fatherhood FIRE program.

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Randomized group of participants receiving the 'services as usual' Fatherhood program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Kansas

Lead Sponsor

Trials

157

Recruited

332,000+

Findings from Research

The educational program for fathers significantly improved father-infant interaction scores, particularly in caregiving aspects, suggesting that targeted education can enhance parenting skills.

While the program did not show significant changes in infant development knowledge or father-infant attachment, it indicates that hybrid educational approaches can be effective in fostering better interactions between fathers and their infants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a hybrid online and offline program for facilitating father-infant interactions in South Korea: a quasi-experimental study. Park, SE., Bang, KS.[2022]

A parenting education program for first-time fathers of 5-month-old infants was perceived as useful, highlighting that fathers have different educational needs compared to mothers.

The program, which included videotaped self-modeling and feedback, showed that fathers who participated improved their interaction with their infants, suggesting its potential effectiveness in public health settings, although demographic factors did not predict which fathers benefited.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Strengthening new fathers' skills in interaction with their 5-month-old infants: who benefits from a brief intervention? Benzies, K., Magill-Evans, J., Harrison, MJ., et al.[2022]

Current early parenting programs primarily target mothers, which may limit the involvement of fathers in family support initiatives.

The paper highlights barriers to father involvement in these programs and suggests that insights from European and international fatherhood research can help create more inclusive strategies to engage fathers effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Fathers in Early Parenting Programs. Impulses from the European and International Fatherhood Research]. Ahnert, L.[2022]

The fatherhood training program by REACHUP, Inc. showed significant improvements in participants' self-awareness, fathering skills, and relationship skills, with pretest scores averaging 8.90 and posttest scores averaging 16.42 out of 22, indicating a strong positive impact over five years.

Attendance in the program nearly doubled from 55 participants in 2013 to 97 in 2017, highlighting a growing recognition of the importance of male involvement in parenting, with benefits extending to non-biological fathers like grandfathers and uncles.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of a 24/7 Dad® Curriculum in Improving Father Involvement: Profiles of Engagement. Wilson, RE., Obure, R., Omokaro, P., et al.[2022]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessing the impacts of an interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement on professionals' practices with fathers: A qualitative study. [2020]

2. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a hybrid online and offline program for facilitating father-infant interactions in South Korea: a quasi-experimental study. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Strengthening new fathers' skills in interaction with their 5-month-old infants: who benefits from a brief intervention? [2022]

4. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Fathers in Early Parenting Programs. Impulses from the European and International Fatherhood Research]. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of a 24/7 Dad® Curriculum in Improving Father Involvement: Profiles of Engagement. [2022]