|
Research relating to the Caring Dads program is ongoing. Several research articles and reports have been published, and are available for interested individuals.
Katreena L. Scott and Claire V. Crooks
Effecting change in maltreating fathers: Critical principles for intervention planning
Spring 2004, Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 11, 95-111
This paper outlines the theoretical background for the Caring Dads program.
Abstract
Although fathers perpetrate a significant proportion of child maltreatment, the intervention needs of abusive and neglectful fathers have not been adequately addressed or researched. This paper argues that well-designed treatment has the potential to benefit men, their children, and their families. However, the treatment needs of maltreating and at-risk fathers are unique, and programs must be designed accordingly. Based on the integration of parenting, child abuse, change promotion and batterer treatment literatures, five principles to guide intervention with maltreating fathers are advanced: 1) Overly controlling behavior, a sense of entitlement and self-centered attitudes are primary problems of abusive fathers; thus, the development of child management skills should not be an initial focus of intervention; 2) Abusive fathers are seldom initially ready to make changes in their parenting; 3) Fathers' adherence to gender-role stereotypes also contributes to their maltreatment of children; 4) The relationship between abusive fathers and the mothers of their children requires special attention; and 5) Because abusive fathers have eroded children's emotional security, the need to rebuild trust will affect the pace of change and potential impact of relapse on the child. These principles are contrasted with the supportive and skills-based goals of conventional group parenting programs and the implications for providing service to fathers are considered.
Katreena L. Scott
Final Report: Pilot Implementation
of the Caring Dads Program for Abusive and At-Risk Fathers
Prepared for: The Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children
London, Ontario, CANADA
Abstract
In the current report, a description of the first two Caring Dads pilot groups is provided. Information is presented on the characteristics of clients and on their attitudes and behavior before and after intervention. Focus is placed on evaluating the appropriateness of measures and on identifying challenges in serving this population. In particular, self-reported attitudes and risk are contrasted with information from referral sources on men's official status in justice and child protection services and with judgements made by trained clinicians on the severity of fathers' abusive and neglectful and healthy parenting behaviours and attitudes. Overall effectiveness of the Caring Dads program was not addressed.
view the pdf of the Final Report
or contact the
Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children
Katreena L. Scott, Karen J. Francis, Claire V. Crooks, Michelle Paddon, and David A. Wolfe
Guidelines for Intervention with Abusive Fathers
Forthcoming, in Edleson & Williams
Abstract
In this chapter, we draw upon our experiences with the Caring Dads
program to describe issues that arise in designing and providing
intervention with fathers who have abused their children and/or
intimate partners, and to outline a series of guidelines for program
accountability.
Claire V. Crooks, Katreena L. Scott, Karen
J. Francis, Tim Kelly, and Maureen Reid
Eliciting change in maltreating fathers: Goals, processes,
and desired outcomes
Forthcoming, in Cognitive and Behavioral Practice
Abstract
There has been a growing recognition of the need to provide appropriate
intervention services to fathers who have been abusive in their
families. This paper highlights four specific treatment goals for
fathers who maltreat their children, along with therapeutic strategies
necessary to accomplish desired outcomes. These goals were developed
as part of the Caring Dads: Helping fathers value their children
program and include:1) Developing sufficient trust and motivation
to engage men in the process of examining their fathering; 2) Increasing
men’s awareness and application of childcentered fathering;
3) Increasing men’s awareness of, and responsibility for,
abusive and neglectful fathering, including domestic violence, and
4) Rebuilding trust with their children and planning for the future.
The strategies include a range of approaches, such as motivational
interviewing, psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral techniques,
confrontation, and shame work. We describe each goal in terms of
desired outcomes and primary therapeutic techniques used by the
facilitators, and illustrate each with examples of exercises from
the Caring Dads program. Implications for the training of therapists
working with maltreating fathers are also highlighted. |
