Couple versus Single Mother Group Treatment: A Comparative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.417.2726Abstract
This study compared couple versus single-mother treatment in group. Ninety-three participants from nine small groups received treatment in one of two conditions: mothers (47) and 23 couples (n = 46). Results showed positive pre-post outcomes on stress and parental coping for participants in both conditions, with no difference between them. However, differences were found at post-follow up (after six months), with parents treated as couples managing to retain gains following treatment, compared with mothers treated alone, who even showed some deterioration with time. Only one gender difference was found—fathers were less motivated to engage in treatment in all three time measurements. Regarding the important role fathers have in their child’s development and the positive gains when treated as a couple, fathers should be encouraged to engage more in treatment, and an interpersonal group of an expressive-supportive modality may be a viable way for fathers to do so.
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A parent Couple Pre Post Follow Pre Post Follow (n = 47) (n = 47) up (n = 46) (n = 46) up (n = 34) (n = 21) M M M M M M (SD) (SD) (SD) (SD) (SD) (SD) PSI total 2.62 2.47 3.07 2.59 2.43 2.43 (0.49) (0.56) (0.76) (0.53) (0.54) (0.73) positive (0.82) (0.85) (1.16) (0.87) (0.76) (0.93) negative (1.07) (0.72) (0.98) (0.68) (0.71) (0.87) Intention to 3.28 3.52 3.51 3.31 3.18 2.90 disclose (1.18) (1.00) (1.11) (1.09) (1.14) (1.20) F values and effect sizes for the study variables by type of participation in group counseling (a parent / couple) and time (N = 93) Pre to post Post to follow up Time A parent Time x Time A parent Time x / couple A parent / couple A parent F F / couple F F / couple (h2) (h2) F (h2) (h2) F (h2) (h2) PSI – total F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, score 169.13) 55.02) = 169.13) 87.58) = 77.69) = 87.58) = = 4.17* 0.01 = 0.01 7.13** 8.16** 4.19* CCNES F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, positive 180.75) 60.25) = 180.75) 87.86) = 88.00) = 87.86) = behaviors = 4.16* 1.60 = 0.20 0.95 0.19 5.06* CCNES F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, negative 162.87) 129.47) 162.87) 92.10) = 62.68) = 92.10) = behaviors = 7.60** = 0.24 = 1.26 0.56 0.62 0.14 Intention to F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, F(1, disclose 170.36) 76.54) = 170.36) 95.49) = 80.26) = 95.49) = = 0.11 0.63 = 1.33 0.16 5.99* 0.12 *p<.05, **p<.01 (.001) (.005) (.015) (.003) (.097) (.002) Means and standard deviations of the study variables by the parent's gender and time (N = 93) Mothers Fathers Pre Post Follow Pre Post Follow (n = 64) (n = 64) up (n = 29) (n = 29) up (n = 40) (n = 15) M M M M M M (SD) (SD) (SD) (SD) (SD) (SD) PSI total 2.64 2.48 2.82 2.52 2.38 2.83 (0.49) (0.56) (0.76) (0.55) (0.53) (0.94) positive (0.84) (0.86) (1.13) (0.84) (0.69) (0.96) negative (1.02) (0.77) (0.97) (0.56) (0.56) (0.84) Intention to 3.44 3.54 3.52 2.98 2.93 2.65 disclose (1.14) (1.04) (1.12) (1.06) (1.06) (1.10)
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