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Voith LA, Russell KN, Withrow A, Kearney J, Xia T, Coleman D. Elevating Black fathers' experiences in the National Fatherhood Initiative: Strengths and areas for improvement of 24/7 Dad® curriculum and case management services. FAMILY PROCESS 2024. [PMID: 39009824 DOI: 10.1111/famp.13036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood grant program is one of the most robust mechanisms supporting fatherhood programming in the United States, with the gold standard of care including fatherhood curriculum (e.g., 24/7 Dad®) and case management services. Despite the fact that fatherhood in the United States is not a monolith and Black fathers make up over 40% of those served through Responsible Fatherhood (RF) program, little research explicitly centers the lived experiences of low-income Black fathers. The current study used focus groups with fathers (n = 23) and staff (n = 8) enrolled in a RF grantee program. Thematic analysis was used to determine programmatic mechanisms supporting these fathers' success and areas for improvement. Our findings highlight that the creation of a "safe space" by facilitators and the power of the group dynamic were essential elements for fathers' success overall. We also identified numerous programmatic mechanisms supporting Black fathers' success specific to fathering, healthy relationships, and economic stability. Finally, we highlighted important limitations that may impede the success of low-income, Black fathers related to the 24/7 Dad® curriculum, engagement efforts, and economic stability, and discuss related practice, policy, and research recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Voith
- Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Center on Trauma and Adversity, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Katie N Russell
- Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Center on Trauma and Adversity, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ashley Withrow
- Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Center on Trauma and Adversity, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Tian Xia
- Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Center on Trauma and Adversity, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Darrell Coleman
- Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Center on Trauma and Adversity, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Daire AP, Carlson RG, Pointer A. Emancipatory approaches in couples' intervention research. FAMILY PROCESS 2023; 62:899-914. [PMID: 37156533 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
A lack of diversity exists in couples research with an overrepresentation of white, middle to upper income couples. Additionally, researchers often do not reflect the study sample, particularly when studying underrepresented minority and historically marginalized (URM-HM) populations. Emancipatory research practices focus on language, processes, and practices to ensure that researchers and the research they conduct honor and contribute to the empowerment of the URM-HM research participants. Therefore, in this paper, we discuss five critical considerations with recommendations for emancipatory research practices for including couples from URM-HM populations. The aim is to provide a framework for researchers to critically reflect on their work with URM-HM populations. The research practices include: (a) research positionality and reflexivity; (b) understanding of the population being served; (c) power and empowerment; (d) accountability, voice, and participant engagement; and (e) research that benefits URM-HM populations and challenges the systems that perpetuate inequities. Additionally, we present practical strategies to implement these five considerations based on our own experiences conducting community-effectiveness studies with low-income and diverse couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Daire
- Department of Counseling & Special Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Ryan G Carlson
- Department of Educational Studies, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ashley Pointer
- Department of Counseling & Special Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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