(PS12-40) Parenting Challenges of Men and Women Participating in Abuse Intervention Programming

Understanding the unique parenting needs and challenges faced by men and women involved in partner abuse intervention programs (AIP) is crucial for constructing effective interventions tailored to address specific concerns, and help break the cycle of abuse. The goal of the current study was to deepen our understanding of the challenges facing both men and women in treatment for partner violent behavior to uncover possible  motivations for participation in parenting programs and enhance engagement in these services. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed from an intake assessment completed by staff at a large AIP serving a predominantly low-income, urban population. The assessment included the 4-item Kansas Parenting Satisfaction Scale, open-ended questions about parenting concerns, and a question regarding the individual’s desire to receive additional parenting support services. The current study analyzed program intake data from 489 parents (415 men and 74 women). The majority of the sample identified as Black (87%), unmarried (67%), unemployed (51.6%) and their average age was 30. Overall, participants reported moderate satisfaction with their parenting experiences (M = 5.21, SD = 1.24), with similar satisfaction ratings reported by men (M = 5.21, SD = 1.27) and women (M = 5.15, SD = 1.05). Both men and women reported the lowest average satisfaction regarding their relationship with their coparents (men, M = 4.23, SD = 1.99; women, M = 3.91, SD = 2.22). Fathers (M = 5.61, SD = 1.30) reported significantly lower satisfaction with the relationship with their children than mothers (M = 6.00, SD = 1.70), t[469] = -2.17, p < .05. Several themes were identified in the open-ended responses designed to explore specific parenting challenges. Parents reported the desire to be better parents, often expressing emotions like guilt, worry, and fear about how difficulties such as conflict or separation may be impacting their children. Fathers’ responses highlighted challenges in obtaining or maintaining contact with their children, which often contributed to negative feelings about themselves as a parent and served as a source of conflict in their co-parenting relationships. Mothers also reported difficulties with custody and visitation in addition to concerns about financial strain and childcare. Another theme was that parents often reported distinct levels of satisfaction and challenges for different children and different co-parents, typically expressing greater satisfaction with their parenting behaviors and relationship with children they are able to see regularly while expressing challenges in fostering strong relationships with children that they are unable to see as often. This indicates the potential utility of assessing parenting challenges with each child and coparent dynamic, as survey items assessing only one child may miss areas of greater conflict and need. Finally, around one-third of the sample indicated that they would like referrals for additional parenting services (37% of fathers, 32% of mothers), providing further evidence of the need for continued development of accessible parenting resources within AIP contexts that can explore and address complex parent-child relationships and co-parenting dynamics.