Assessing the Feasibility of a Parent Life Coaching Intervention to Support Parents and Children Who Have Experienced Domestic Violence and Abuse

Abstract

Children exposed to domestic violence are at risk for a range of psychosocial difficulties, which may be mitigated by improving their caregiver’s mental health and capacity to parent. Life coaching is a promising behaviour change approach for improving the empowerment, efficacy and well-being of carers who are parenting alone following domestic violence. This study evaluated the feasibility of a novel life coaching programme. Using a pre- post-test design, the Family Vision© (FV) programme was implemented in two community settings. The programme was offered to single mothers with experience of domestic violence. Feasibility data were collected using satisfaction forms, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with parents, facilitators and managers. Mothers’ self-reports about their mental well-being; empowerment and self-efficacy were collected, as well as the quality of their parent-child relationships and children’s psychosocial functioning, using standardised measures at baseline and end of programme. The programme was found to have good acceptability for this population of parents and was considered feasible to deliver in the two community settings where it was piloted. There were indications that women who completed the programme had improved mental well-being, as well as improved empowerment and efficacy by the end of the programme. The FV programme is feasible to implement and could support positive change for single parents with respect to their mental health and capacity to parent effectively. Demonstrated mediators, these effects could also promote children’s health and well-being. Feasibility for a randomised trial and wider scale-up in the community is now required.