Fathers for Change for Men With Co-occurring Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 60 |
| Updated: | 3/1/2014 |
| Start Date: | June 2011 |
| End Date: | June 2014 |
| Contact: | Carla S Stover, Ph.D. |
| Email: | carla.stover@yale.edu |
| Phone: | 203-785-2048 |
Randomized Trial of Fathers for Change: An Intervention for Fathers With Co-Occuring Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse
Social service systems rarely acknowledge the status of men as fathers in the
conceptualization and delivery of treatment for substance abuse or domestic violence.
Although there has been extensive focus on the treatment of mothers who abuse substances,
are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) (defined as physical aggression and/or
psychological abuse and control at the hands of an intimate partner), or maltreat their
children there has been little consideration of the need for interventions for fathers with
histories of co-morbid IPV and substance abuse. It is estimated that between 10 and 17.8
million children are witness to violence in their homes each year. National and regional
samples indicate 50-70% of families impacted by IPV and the typically co-occurring substance
abuse have children under the age of seven. Large percentages of these men continue to live
with or have consistent contact with their young children despite aggression and substance
use.
Court mandated treatments for perpetrators of domestic violence have become the norm,
however the efficacy of these treatments is questionable and most do not speak to the
broader needs of batterers and their families. How batterer's treatments might impact
parenting and father-child relationships and the psychosocial functioning of children is
vastly understudied and not currently understood. Since batterer treatments are court
mandated and require tremendous financial and community resources, the efficacy of these
interventions in stopping the cycle of domestic violence and improving the health and
well-being of the batterer, his partner and children is crucial. There are currently NO
evidence-based treatments that address co-morbid substance abuse and domestic violence
perpetration with emphasis on paternal parenting and the father-child relationship.
Consequently, the proposed psychotherapy development project will develop and evaluate the
potential efficacy of a novel, relational parent intervention for fathers with co-morbid
substance abuse and IPV who have young children. The goals of this intervention are to
decrease aggression and substance abuse by increasing focus on fathering and an improved
father-child relationship.
conceptualization and delivery of treatment for substance abuse or domestic violence.
Although there has been extensive focus on the treatment of mothers who abuse substances,
are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) (defined as physical aggression and/or
psychological abuse and control at the hands of an intimate partner), or maltreat their
children there has been little consideration of the need for interventions for fathers with
histories of co-morbid IPV and substance abuse. It is estimated that between 10 and 17.8
million children are witness to violence in their homes each year. National and regional
samples indicate 50-70% of families impacted by IPV and the typically co-occurring substance
abuse have children under the age of seven. Large percentages of these men continue to live
with or have consistent contact with their young children despite aggression and substance
use.
Court mandated treatments for perpetrators of domestic violence have become the norm,
however the efficacy of these treatments is questionable and most do not speak to the
broader needs of batterers and their families. How batterer's treatments might impact
parenting and father-child relationships and the psychosocial functioning of children is
vastly understudied and not currently understood. Since batterer treatments are court
mandated and require tremendous financial and community resources, the efficacy of these
interventions in stopping the cycle of domestic violence and improving the health and
well-being of the batterer, his partner and children is crucial. There are currently NO
evidence-based treatments that address co-morbid substance abuse and domestic violence
perpetration with emphasis on paternal parenting and the father-child relationship.
Consequently, the proposed psychotherapy development project will develop and evaluate the
potential efficacy of a novel, relational parent intervention for fathers with co-morbid
substance abuse and IPV who have young children. The goals of this intervention are to
decrease aggression and substance abuse by increasing focus on fathering and an improved
father-child relationship.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. meet current DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse and who have used a substance within
the 60 days prior to screening;
2. have a police reported incident of IPV (pushing, slapping, kicking) within 6 months
of referral;
3. have at least one biological child under the age of 7 with whom they reside or have
at least weekly visitation.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Have histories of severe physical violence (e.g. choking, causing hospitalization);
2. Men who have an active NO CONTACT protective order pertaining to their partner or
child;
3. Men whose female partners indicate that they do not want the child to participate;
4. If the female partner indicates that she believes her child is afraid of his/her
father and will NOT want to participate;
5. Men who are currently in withdrawal from substances and in need of detoxification;
6. Have cognitive impairment or a lifetime history of any psychotic or bipolar disorder;
or
7. Are currently suicidal or homicidal.
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