Parenting Support for Fathers in Sweden: The Role of Child Health - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Parenting Support for Fathers in Sweden: The Role of Child Health Centers and Parent Support Programs for Young Children Michael Wells, M.S., PhD Candidate

Sweden’s Family Policies

Swedish Family Policies Parent Support Environment Programs People Child Health Environments Child Health Nurses

Study I: Child Health Centers’ Environment

Method - Semiotic Visual Analysis • Manifest & Latent Analysis

Categories & Results 1. Family Centered = 8 2. Mother-Child Centered = 12 3. Child Centered = 6 4. Neutral = 3 5. Women Centered = 2 • None were Father-Child, Father-Mother, or Men Centered

Results of Observations • 281 parental observations – 82 (30%) on fathers – 199 (70%) on mothers Mother Centered: Non-Mother Centered: 142 129 Family Child Mother-Child Women Neutral Centered Centered Centered Centered

Results of Observations • Within Non-Mother Environments – Fathers played more with their children than mothers • Between Non-Mother and Mother Environments: – Fathers played more with their children – Fathers read more material • No differences for mothers

Brief Discussion of Study I • Only 25% of environments met national guidelines to include all family members • Mothers didn’t differentiate behaviors • Fathers were more involved in Non- mother targeted environments

Study II: Child Health Nurses Views on Father Involvement • 17 English-speaking interviews with Child Health Nurses • To understand Child Health Nurse’s opinions on involving fathers • Systematic Text Condensation

Method - Interview Guide Nurse’s Background Father Involvement 1. How many years have 5. In what ways do you you been a nurse at the encourage fathers to visit? Child Health Center? Mothers? 2. What other positions 6. Since you became a Child have you held before Health nurse, have you seen coming to work at the changes in father Child Health Centers? participation at the Child Health Centers? 3. What are your job duties as a Child Health 7. What kinds of Nurse? experiences have you had with fathers? Different from 4. Describe parent support mothers? programs 8. Would you like to increase father involvement?

Results Themes Code Groups Nurse’s Own Agenda • The Infant’s Advocate • Supporting parents and co- parenting Nurse’s Opinion about • The Fathering Role has Changed the Father’s Role • Fathers are Attending the CHC more • Perceived Differences between Fathers and Mothers • Mothers are our Priority Nurse’s Gatekeeping • The Gate is Closed, but not Locked • Fathers are Worthy of Change Wanting more Father • Active in Involving Fathers Involvement

Brief Discussion of Study II • CH nurses spoke about their duties • Fathers were accepted at the CHCs – CH nurses not active agents in involving fathers • Limited changes to further encourage fathers to be more involved in the CHCs

Study III: Parent Support Programs and Mother and Father Involvement

Methods • Scales that measure characteristics of mothers, fathers, and children – Demographic Information – Parental Mental Health – Behavior and Emotional Problems • 49 Participating Mothers / 164 Non- Participating • 18 Participating Fathers / 132 Non- Participating

Factors that Matter for Participation: Mothers

Factors that Matter for Participation: Fathers

Mothers: 50 45 40 35 30 Did Not Participate 25 Participated 20 15 10 5 0 .00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00

Fathers: