Randomized Controlled Trial of an Adapted Evidence-Based Coaching Program for Fathers and Their Young Children in the Context of Home Visiting
University of Washington
Summary
Father-child pairs (N=200; children ages 12-36 months) will be randomized to FIND-F or a waitlist control group. Assessments comparing the two groups will occur at baseline, end of program, and 6 months post-program. Our aims include: Aim 1: Evaluate the main impacts of FIND-F on the primary program target (fathers' supportive parenting) and related child and parent outcomes. Aim 2. Identify mechanisms of FIND-F's intervention effects. Aim 3. Examine variation by select child, father, and program measures.
Description
The proposed work will achieve three specific aims in the context of a two-arm, fully powered RCT. This will be one of the first large-scale RCTs focused on evaluating the impacts and underlying theory of a nurturing fathering program. As fathers enroll, they will be randomly assigned to either FIND-F (Group A) or a waitlist control group (Group B). A waitlist control group design is proposed based on community views that it would be unethical to deny consenting, eligible fathers access to FIND-F. This is a common approach in early childhood evaluations to increase program access. Both groups…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 1+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Identify as a father * Speak English or Spanish * Have a child between the ages of 12-36 months who lives with you * Be enrolled in Akin services Exclusion Criteria: * No additional exclusion criteria
Interventions
- BehavioralFilming Interactions to Nurture Development (FIND)
FIND-F is a 6-session manualized program that begins with the home visitor taking a 10-minute video of the father and child engaging in an everyday activity (e.g., playing, having a snack). Then, that video is carefully edited to emphasize the specific strengths observed in the father-child interactions. The brief, edited videos are then reviewed with the father the following week. In reviewing the video clips, the home visitor uses micro-analytic narration, highlighting the frame-by-frame sequence of events that fosters the child's healthy development. In this way, the goal of FIND-F is to shift the father's perceptions of himself and his child, enabling the father to become increasingly responsive and encouraging. Home visitors also provide opportunities for fathers to comment and ask questions throughout the video review.
Location
- AkinSeattle, Washington