RecruitingPhase 2NCT06650267

Substance Misuse and Family Violence Treatment Fathers

Substance Misuse and Family Violence Treatment for Fathers

Sponsor

Yale University

Enrollment

280 participants

Start Date

Feb 17, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Child abuse Substance Misuse Violence, Domestic

Summary

This study involves a randomized controlled trial of Fathers for Change (F4C) compared to Individual Drug Counseling (IDC) with a sample of 280 fathers enrolled in substance use (SU) treatment within community or veterans (VA) healthcare settings to (a) demonstrate F4C efficacy compared to IDC in reducing SU and family violence (FV) at end of treatment, 3- and 6-month post-treatment follow-up, and (b) document improved emotion regulation as the mechanism within F4C that results in reduced SU and FV.

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin Age: 18 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This clinical trial is studying a behavioral approach called Fathers for Change (F4C) and a behavioral approach called Individual Drug Counseling (IDC) for people with child abuse, substance misuse, and other related conditions. The study is currently recruiting participants at 2 locations. People eligible for this study include men aged 18 Years and older.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALFathers for Change (F4C)

Defining features of F4C delivered over 18 sessions: 1) focus on the fathers model of fatherhood as a motivator for change, 2) focus on understanding and identifying feelings, teaching skills to identify and change emotional dysregulation that lead to both SU and FV, 3) co-parent communication skills to reduce stress and improve problem solving, 4) restorative parenting (see Table 1 and figure 1)127. F4C focuses on reflective understanding of emotional experiences, how that impacts thoughts and behaviors related to SU, FV, co-parenting/parenting each session. Through greater self-awareness, the father is better able to apply coping, communication and parenting skills introduced to reduce SU and FV.

BEHAVIORALIndividual Drug Counseling (IDC)

IDC is an individual evidence-based SU treatment84 that incorporates two elements: endorsement of the disease model and the spiritual dimensions of recovery. These elements differentiate the approach from F4C. IDC is influenced by 12-step recovery philosophy and participation in 12-step groups like NA are encouraged. The model places focus on the individual in recovery without a focus on fatherhood or co-parenting. IDC will be offered in an 18-session format.