A LITERATURE REVIEW OF FATHER-SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS ON FATHERING SELF-EFFICACY

Muzamal Rehman (muzamalrehman@hotmail.com)
Muzamal Rehman is a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Staffordshire University
Gary Lee (gary.lee@staffs.ac.uk)
Dr. Gary Lee is Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Staffordshire University

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The roles of fathers have changed over the years and fathers are now increasingly involved in caregiving for their child, it is therefore important that they are confident in their fathering role. Fathering self-efficacy refers to confidence in one’s fathering abilities. This paper reviews 10 studies that have used father-specific interventions to increase self-efficacy in fathers, and their effectiveness. The review identified that father-specific interventions are nuanced and require certain aspects for effectiveness, such as a male facilitator, video-feedback, strength-based feedback, professional support, peer support, and experiential activities. Due to several methodological issues discussed in the review, the application and generalisability of the interventions should be interpreted with caution. Future research suggestions include developing father-specific measures for self-efficacy, exploring why males are often viewed as second class parents, and how our view of fathers has tended to be corrupted by ideological assumptions about males and masculinity popular in contemporary culture.


Keywords: fathers, men, parenting interventions, self-confidence, self-efficacy

Author Biographies

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Muzamal Rehman is a final year trainee clinical psychologist at Staffordshire University in the UK and her current doctoral research is focused on first-time fathers. She has an interest in male mental health, having previously worked across two male prisons and in a range of other settings. Muzamal’s other interests include depression, particularly in first-time fathers, anxiety disorders, suicide and self-harm, and the mental health of young people. She has previously published journal articles about self-harm

Contact details: muzamalrehman@hotmail.com

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Gary Lee is a Clinical Psychologist in the UK and a Senior Lecturer at Staffordshire University. His ranging interests include mental health of young people, psychosis and working collaboratively with service users and carers to support clinical training. He hopes to inspire trainees to become the best psychologists they can be.

Contact details: gary.lee@staffs.ac.uk

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