Can whole-family interventions target violence and parenting in families experiencing domestic violence and abuse? A longitudinal study of the For Baby’s Sake programme

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the potential for a whole-family intervention for domestic violence and abuse (DVA) - the For Baby's Sake programme - to address both parenting and abusive behaviours in families experiencing DVA. This objective is achieved by investigating parents' perspective. This trauma-informed programme works separately with mothers and fathers and is intended to start in pregnancy and continue for two years. METHODS: Three sets of individual interviews were conducted with mothers and fathers both at the start of the programme (during pregnancy); one year after programme enrolment and at programme end. Reflexive Thematic Analysis was employed. 26 mothers and 13 fathers participated with a total of 83 interviews. RESULTS: Parents reported perceived improvements in parenting knowledge and behaviours, notably through psychoeducation on child development and feedback on video recordings of parent-child interactions. Mothers acknowledged experiences of DVA, and found psychoeducation, insights into intergenerational transmission, and safety planning activities beneficial. Some fathers acknowledged perpetration of violent behaviours. Fathers embraced change by addressing their own Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), acquiring emotional regulation skills, and committing to anger management. Both fathers and mothers stressed the importance of a non-judgmental environment and a desire to enhance parenting as motivating factors for acknowledging DVA and committing to change. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that whole-family approach interventions - such as the For Baby's Sake programme - holds promise in addressing both parenting and abusive behaviours in families experiencing DVA.