NCJ Number
241388
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 36 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2012 Pages: 680-684
Date Published
September 2012
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effectiveness of a community-based group treatment program for use with fathers who had abused or neglected their children or exposed them to domestic violence.
Abstract
Findings from this study on the effectiveness of intervention programs for abusive fathers include the following: the intervention program had a positive statistically significant effect on the fathers' parenting and co-parenting behaviors; following intervention, laxness and hostility scores decreased to levels equivalent to those for the normal population; statistically significant improvements were found in the men's total co-parenting scores, and on each of the communication and teamwork and respect for commitment and judgment subscales. This study examined the effectiveness of a community-based group treatment program for use with fathers who had abused or neglected their children or exposed them to domestic violence. Data for the study were obtained from a sample of 98 fathers who participated in the Caring Dads program in Ontario, Canada. The study analyzed the men's levels of generalized anger and aggression, problematic parenting, and their perceptions of co-parenting pre- and post-intervention. Analysis of the findings indicates that the population of fathers at high risk for child maltreatment would benefit from parenting intervention programs, and that further development of these programs is warranted. Study limitations are discussed. Table and references