Perinatal Intervention Desires of New Fathers Who Have a History of Child Maltreatment: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

A history of child maltreatment (CM) can lead to poorer perinatal mental health and early parenting outcomes. New fathers who experienced CM may have unique needs that could be addressed with trauma-specific fatherhood programs. This sequential mixed-methods study compares the intervention desires of fathers with and without a history of CM, explores trauma-specific considerations for intervention development, and identifies barriers to participating in perinatal fatherhood programs. We surveyed 371 first-time fathers of young children (birth - 30 months) online. One third (33%, n = 123) had a history of CM, and we interviewed 15 of them. Participants desired basic parenting skills programs with optional trauma-specific add-ons. Trauma-specific topics included managing relationships, sleep, and emotions like low mood, anger, or irritability. Many lacked positive fathering role models and sought connections with other fathers who had experienced CM. Trauma-specific perinatal interventions could support fathers with a history of CM in interrupting the intergenerational transmission of trauma.