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Journal of Family Violence
Published in: Journal of Family Violence 8/2017

01-11-2017 | Original Article

Initial Findings from a Feasibility Trial Examining the SafeCare Dad to Kids Program with Marginalized Fathers

Authors: Shannon Self-Brown, Melissa C. Osborne, Betty S. Lai, Natasha De Veauuse Brown, Theresa L. Glasheen, Melissa C. Adams

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 8/2017

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Abstract

Few studies have explored the direct impact of behavioral parent training programs on child maltreatment behaviors among marginalized, at-risk fathers. This feasibility study examined SafeCare® Dad to Kids (Dad2K), an augmented version of the evidence-based child maltreatment prevention program SafeCare, to determine the acceptability and initial efficacy of the program for improving father parenting skills and reducing maltreatment risk. Ninety-nine fathers were enrolled in the study and randomized to the SafeCare Dad2K Intervention (n = 51) or comparison (n = 48). Intervention fathers participated in 6 home visiting sessions and comparison fathers received parenting materials via mail. All fathers participating in the study completed a baseline and 8-week assessment (post-intervention) of maltreatment behaviors. In addition, intervention fathers completed feasibility and parenting skill measures. A significant main effect emerged indicating decreases for both groups in psychologically aggressive behaviors. No significant group by time findings emerged for child maltreatment behaviors. Father intervention completers endorsed high satisfaction ratings for the program and demonstrated significant improvements in targeted father-child interaction skills. Based on the high rates of acceptability and initial improvement in positive parenting skills, findings demonstrate the feasibility for involving at-risk fathers in behavioral parent training programs targeting child maltreatment prevention.
Footnotes
1
Including biological fathers, foster or adoptive father, stepfathers, male caregivers, and other father figures.
 
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Metadata
Title
Initial Findings from a Feasibility Trial Examining the SafeCare Dad to Kids Program with Marginalized Fathers
Authors
Shannon Self-Brown
Melissa C. Osborne
Betty S. Lai
Natasha De Veauuse Brown
Theresa L. Glasheen
Melissa C. Adams
Publication date
01-11-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Family Violence / Issue 8/2017
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-017-9940-5

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