Carla Smith Stover and Danielle Farrell
Few studies have examined coparenting characteristics and experiences of fathers who use substances and are aggressive with their partners. The purpose of this paper is to use…
Abstract
Purpose
Few studies have examined coparenting characteristics and experiences of fathers who use substances and are aggressive with their partners. The purpose of this paper is to use quantitative and qualitative measures to increase knowledge of coparenting of fathers with co-occurring substance use disorders and histories of intimate partner violence (IPV) to inform intervention efforts with this population.
Design/methodology/approach
Baseline interviews were used from 62 fathers in a residential treatment center who participated in a longitudinal research study about interventions for substance-misusing fathers. Coparenting-related themes were identified through qualitatively analyzing transcripts of fathers’ responses to the Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations (ATSS) task. Fathers completed the Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS), Conflict Tactics Scale Revised and the Child Trauma Questionnaire. Correlations were examined to determine if themes generated from the ATSS task were associated with IPV severity or coparenting relationship.
Findings
Qualitative analysis of transcripts revealed six themes: hostility, dismissiveness, non-confrontational, child-focused, feeling undermined and being active or non-active in the ATSS task. Qualitative themes were not significantly correlated with self-reported coparenting on the CRS except coded dismissive responses were positively associated with self-reported undermining by their coparent. Self-reported physical and psychological aggression were significantly positively associated with self-reported coparent undermining but were not significantly associated with qualitative themes.
Originality/value
This study is the first to use qualitative analysis of responses to coparenting situations to understand ways fathers in substance misuse treatment with histories of IPV think about coparenting to guide interventions.
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Batya Rubenstein and Carla Smith Stover
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of co-parenting, childhood experiences, and satisfaction with fathering in a sample of men in a long-term residential drug…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of co-parenting, childhood experiences, and satisfaction with fathering in a sample of men in a long-term residential drug rehabilitation program.
Design/methodology/approach
A paper and pencil survey was completed by 128 men between the ages of 18 and 68 (M age=30.42 years) in a court ordered residential rehabilitation center for drug misuse. Of the 128 respondents, 40.625 percent (n=52) were fathers and completed a longer survey to assess their co-parenting relationships.
Findings
The percentage of men with positive role models did not differ between the fathers and non-fathers, with 40.4 percent of fathers having had a positive role model growing up, χ2(1, n=127)=0.54, p=0.816. Fathers were more likely to report witnessing IPV between their parents during childhood than non-fathers, χ2(1, n=125)=4.7888, p=0.029. Linear regression models examining factors associated with co-parenting agreement and exposure to conflict were significant, but witnessing IPV as a child was the only significant individual predictor.
Practical implications
Exposure to IPV in childhood was a common experience for fathers in residential treatment for substance misuse. Fathers reported significant problems in their co-parenting relationships indicating a need for fatherhood and co-parenting focused services available within residential treatment programs.
Originality/value
There is little research about fathers with co-occurring histories of substance misuse and IPV in residential treatment. This paper is the first to examine co-parenting in this specific population.
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Carla Smith Stover and Andrea Spink
Few studies have examined the parenting of fathers with co‐occurring substance abuse (SA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) problems. None have specifically interviewed men with…
Abstract
Purpose
Few studies have examined the parenting of fathers with co‐occurring substance abuse (SA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) problems. None have specifically interviewed men with these co‐occurring issues using qualitative methods about their reflective functioning in relation to their children. This paper aims to provide evidence of the reflective capacity of fathers with co‐occurring SA and IPV.
Design/methodology/approach
To assess this, men were asked to describe examples of negative emotions they experienced as parents and how they perceived their children responded to those emotions. In total, 40 fathers with co‐occurring SA and IPV were interviewed using the Revised Parent Development Interview. Interviews were coded for reflective functioning and for themes that emerged related to angry and guilty feelings these fathers experienced as parents.
Findings
Overall, fathers in the sample had a very limited capacity to think about the thoughts and feelings of their children. The desire to spend more time with their child and an inability to provide financially were two common themes. Anger toward the child's mother for not providing adequate care and a focus on shielding the child from his anger were also reported frequently. Fathers did not report feelings of guilt related to their substance use or aggression in their relationships.
Originality/value
This paper is one of the first to explore reflective functioning of fathers with co‐occurring IPV and SA. These findings are discussed in relation to their implications for intervention with fathers with co‐occurring SA and IPV issues.
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Carla Smith Stover and Thomas J. McMahon
Because the concurrent nature of chronic drug abuse (DA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) is frequently ignored in research examining the correlates of the two conditions, the…
Abstract
Purpose
Because the concurrent nature of chronic drug abuse (DA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) is frequently ignored in research examining the correlates of the two conditions, the purpose of this paper is designed to document differences in parenting behavior associated with a history of DA vs a history of IPV in fathers.
Design/methodology/approach
An ethnically diverse sample of 91 opioid-dependent fathers receiving methadone maintenance treatment and a demographically similar group of 111 fathers living in the same community with no history of alcohol or DA since the birth of their first child were interviewed using a set of standard research measures.
Findings
Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that, after allowance for demographic covariates, a history of either minor or severe IPV, but not a history of DA, was associated with a report of more negative parenting behavior. A history of minor IPV was associated primarily with a lack of warmth and affection in parenting behavior. A history of severe IPV was associated with more aggressive and more neglectful parenting behavior.
Originality/value
Within a statistical model that allowed for the extent to which DA and IPV can co-occur during the family career of men, the results of this study suggested that IPV, more so than DA, was associated with parenting behavior representing risk for abuse and neglect of children. Clinical intervention with high-risk fathers need to be grounded in a better understanding of the potential influence of DA and IPV on the parenting behavior of men at risk for child abuse and neglect.
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Carla Smith Stover and Marissa Kahn
Purpose – Research indicates significant associations between intimate partner violence (IPV), substance abuse (SA) and childhood experiences of abuse. Yet few studies have…
Abstract
Purpose – Research indicates significant associations between intimate partner violence (IPV), substance abuse (SA) and childhood experiences of abuse. Yet few studies have interviewed fathers with co‐occurring IPV and SA about their experiences in their own families and how that impacts their parenting. The purpose of this paper is to fill that gap and explore the ways in which fathers with co‐occurring IPV and SA describe the parenting of their own parents and how it is related to the ways they parent. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 40 fathers with co‐occurring IPV and SA were interviewed about their experiences of childhood abuse and the ways they are like and unlike their parents for this qualitative study using thematic analysis. Findings – A large percentage of the fathers experienced childhood abuse and reported negative images of their fathers and mothers most commonly due to father absence and abusive/harsh parenting by both parents. Most fathers indicated a wish to be more present, available and warm with their children. Fathers did not draw associations between their childhood histories and their own behaviors. Practical implications – Multigenerational transmission of IPV, SA, and child maltreatment may be important areas to focus on in interventions with fathers with co‐occurring IPV and SA issues. Originality/value – This study is one of the first to specifically interview fathers with co‐occurring IPV and SA about their experiences of being parented and how that is related to their own parenting.