Engaging Fathers in Positive Parenting

说明（申请人提供）父亲在儿童期行为问题的发展中起着重要作用。然而，他们往往被排除在旨在解决其子女行为的干预措施之外。因此，有必要努力增加父亲参与育儿计划，提高育儿技能，加强父子关系，以减少儿童行为问题，防止虐待儿童。拟议项目的目的是制定一项有效的战略，以改善父亲在Triple P中的参与和参与，并对该战略（参与父亲）进行严格的试点评估。试点测试将确定在一个完善的地方机构（父亲支持中心，圣路易斯[FSC]）内提供三P和参与父亲的可行性，并获得关于三P和参与父亲有效性的初步数据。将采用混合方法研究设计来实现以下研究目标：（1）确定在各种情况下让父亲参与Triple P的方法，（2）开发Engaging Fathers，以及（3）进行试点评估，以确定在非传统服务环境（父职计划）中实施Triple P和Engaging Fathers的可行性，并为更大规模的随机临床试验（RCT）提供信息。将通过多种方法收集数据，为参与父亲的发展提供信息：焦点小组，半结构化访谈和调查。焦点小组（n = 30）、半结构化访谈（n = 12）和试点测试（n = 50）的受试者是非洲裔美国男性，他们是（a）至少一个4至12岁孩子的父亲，（B）18岁以上，（c）不是FSC的过去或现在的客户，以及（d）为他们的子女提供一些稳定的照顾（持续的探视符合这一要求）。基于网络的调查的受访者将是来自父亲方案的工作人员的全国样本（n = 50）。内容分析将采用归纳推理的方法来分析所有定性数据。封闭式调查问题的统计分析将包括计算频率和交叉表与卡方检验。使父亲参与作为一种手段，以增加父亲参与三P将平衡忠诚三P和适合人口和服务设置。其制定将参考目标1中收集的数据、适应问题研究所和非裔美国人父亲关键信息提供者。最后，我们将进行一个严格的试点评估：（1）比较三P，三P和参与父亲;（2）评估实施这种干预和参与战略的可行性与低收入的非洲裔美国父亲在父亲支持机构;以及（3）检查初步数据，这些数据可以为一项更大规模的研究提供信息，该研究测试了在非-传统的服务设置。这项研究的结果将告知努力从事难以达到的人口在养育计划，并将告知基于证据的养育计划的文化适应。在美国，无父是一个严重的公共卫生问题，特别是在城市地区;超过一半的非洲裔美国儿童居住在没有父亲或父亲形象的家庭。然而，许多未婚的非洲裔美国父亲生活在贫困的城市地区，那里很少有机会获得积极的父亲行为。该项目旨在开发和测试“让父亲参与”，以针对这些弱势男子，并旨在增加与Triple P的参与，这可以为这些男子提供一个积极的育儿模式。

Description (Provided by Applicant) Fathers play an important role in the development of childhood behavior problems. Yet, they are often excluded from interventions aimed at addressing their children's behaviors. Therefore, efforts are necessary to increase father engagement with parenting programs that improve parenting skills and enhance father- child relationships to reduce child behavior problems and prevent child maltreatment. The purpose of the proposed project is to develop an effective strategy to improve father engagement and involvement in Triple P, and to conduct a rigorous pilot evaluation of that strategy (Engaging Fathers). The pilot test will determine the feasibility of providing Triple P and Engaging Fathers within a well-established local agency (Fathers' Support Center, St. Louis [FSC]), and obtain preliminary data on the effectiveness of Triple P and Engaging Fathers. A mixed methods research design will be used to achieve the following research aims: (1) Identify approaches to engage fathers in various circumstances into Triple P, (2) develop Engaging Fathers , and (3) conduct a pilot evaluation to determine the feasibility of implementing Triple P and Engaging Fathers within a non-traditional service setting (fatherhood program) and to inform a larger randomized clinical trial (RCT). Data to inform the development of Engaging Fathers will be collected via multiple methods: focus groups, semi-structured interviews and surveys. Subjects for the focus groups (n = 30), semi-structured interviews (n = 12), and pilot test (n = 50) are African American men who are (a) fathers of at least one child between the ages of 4 and 12, (b) over 18 years of age, (c) not a past or current client of the FSC, and (d) provide some stable care for their children (consistent visitation meets this requirement). Respondents for the web-based surveys will be a national sample of staff from fatherhood programs (n = 50). Content analysis using an inductive reasoning approach will be completed to analyze all qualitative data Statistical analysis of the close-ended survey questions will include the calculation of frequencies and cross-tabulations with chi- square tests. Engaging Fathers as a means to increase father engagement in Triple P will balance fidelity to Triple P and fit with the population and service setting. Its development will be informed by data collected in aim 1, by the adaptation workgroup and by African American father key informants. Finally, we will conduct a rigorous pilot evaluation: (1) comparing Triple P only, and Triple P and Engaging Fathers; (2) evaluating the feasibility of implementing this intervention and engagement strategy with low income African American fathers within a father support agency; and (3) examining preliminary data that can inform a larger study testing the effectiveness of Triple P and Engaging Fathers being delivered within a non-traditional service setting. Findings from this study will inform efforts to engage a hard to reach population in parenting programs, and will inform cultural adaptations of evidence-based parenting programs. Fatherlessness is a serious public health issue in the United States, especially in urban areas; over half of African American children reside in homes without a father or father figure. Yet, many unmarried African American fathers live in poor urban areas where there are few opportunities to acquire positive paternal behaviors. This project seeks to develop and test Engaging Fathers to target these vulnerable men and aims to increase engagement with Triple P, which can provide a positive model of parenting to these men.