Are Fathering Interventions Acceptable to Veterans? A Needs and Preferences Survey

Abstract Introduction Military deployments cause stress for both service members and their families. Returning Veterans often report significant trauma exposure, and experience increased stress and mental health problems following deployment. These factors can in turn increase family problems and pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Military medicine 2020-03, Vol.185 (3-4), p.e410-e413
Main Authors: Primack, Jennifer M, Thompson, Matthew, Doyle, Rachel, Battle, Cynthia L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Fathers
Humans
Male
Mental Disorders
Mental health
Parenting
Parents & parenting
Surveys and Questionnaires
Veterans
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Summary:Abstract Introduction Military deployments cause stress for both service members and their families. Returning Veterans often report significant trauma exposure, and experience increased stress and mental health problems following deployment. These factors can in turn increase family problems and parenting strain among Veterans who are parents, exacerbating mental health symptoms. Men are generally less likely to seek treatment for mental health problems, and male Veterans, in particular, report lower rates of mental health treatment use. Interventions that target fathering or parenting skills may be more acceptable and less stigmatizing to male Veterans while serving the dual function of improving parental relationships and reducing mental health symptoms. However, it is unclear whether Veteran fathers will engage in these services. Materials and Methods As a preliminary evaluation of the acceptability of fathering interventions, 50 returning Veteran fathers completed an anonymous survey designed to assess their needs and preferences regarding this type of service. All procedures were approved by the local Institutional Review Board and Research and Development Committee. Results Ninety-eight percent of participants reported experiencing at least one parenting issue either that started postdeployment or that got noticeably worse following postdeployment. The majority (86%) stated that they would be open to participating in a fathering program if offered. Conclusions Returning Veteran fathers demonstrate interest in and willingness to participate in fathering programs suggesting that parenting programs may be a way to engage Veterans in mental health care following deployment.
ISSN:0026-4075
1930-613X
DOI:10.1093/milmed/usz422