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Perceptions of Men Who Have Perpetrated Intimate Partner Violence on Creating a Transition to Fatherhood Program

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Abstract

The transition to fatherhood can be a time of stress and excitement for expectant and new fathers. At the same time, the impact of men’s use of intimate partner violence (IPV) during and following pregnancy on women is well documented. Currently, a lack of programmatic efforts to engage men during the transition to fatherhood to interrupt IPV exists. This study sought to illuminate the perceptions of men, who had recently become fathers and had perpetrated IPV, about the idea of a transition to fatherhood program, for men like themselves. The thirteen study participants universally favored the idea of and need for such a program. Findings also described participants’ identified timing, format, and topics, which could inform future development of transition to fatherhood program for men who have perpetrated IPV. Policy and practice implications for social service and health care providers include implementing pre- and post-natal screening of men.

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Acknowledgements

The University of Kansas New Faculty General Research Fund provided funding for this study. Many thanks goes to Alexa Tapia who assisted in the recruitment efforts for this study. We also appreciate Jose Marquez who shared his expert practitioner wisdom in the review of the study’s findings. The authors thank the men who participated in this study, whose vulnerability and courage to share their experiences and perspectives made this study possible.

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Correspondence to Juliana Carlson.

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Carlson, J., Casey, E.A. Perceptions of Men Who Have Perpetrated Intimate Partner Violence on Creating a Transition to Fatherhood Program. J Fam Viol 33, 457–468 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-018-9969-0

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