Reconstructing Paternal Identity: A Qualitative Case Study of Parenting Program for Incarcerated Fathers

Background: Incarcerated fathers often face challenges such as weakened father-child bonds, diminished parental identity, and reduced efficacy in their parenting abilities. Despite the recognition of these issues, there remains a significant research gap in concerning parenting programs for incarcerated fathers in Asia. A parenting program - "Be My Hero" program aims to bridge this gap by providing a parenting intervention to enhance the parental identity and efficacy of incarcerated fathers. The objective of this study is to explore the effectiveness of the "Be My Hero" program on incarcerated fathers, focusing on changes in parental identity and efficacy. Our research question focused on what is the effectiveness of the "Be My Hero" parenting program in enhancing the parental identity and efficacy of incarcerated fathers, and how individual and cultural factors in Asia influence the outcomes of the program.

Methods: This qualitative multiple case study recruited 18 incarcerated fathers and their children aged 3 - 11 by purposeful sampling. The program encompassed 10 sessions, with four sessions for incarcerated fathers, 2 joint parent-child sessions, and 2 children sessions. The research design was based on McCubbin's (1996) family resilience framework, focusing on relationship building and positive parenting. Data collection occurred over a six-month period, integrating session logs noted by researchers (n = 3), semi-structured interviews with incarcerated fathers (n = 18), case workers (n = 6), correctional staff (n = 8), and children (n = 18), Pre- and post-tests, and participants' demographics. A three-month follow-up was conducted through semi-structured interviews with participants’ caseworkers to observe the maintenance effect of the program. Data analysis incorporated within-case and cross-case analyses. For within-case analysis, narrative analysis was employed to construct comprehensive accounts of participants' experiences, using a process of change model to evaluate their transformations throughout the program. Cross-case analysis was performed through content analysis, following Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-step framework, to identify prevalent themes and patterns across cases.

Results: The findings from the "Be My Hero" program for incarcerated fathers revealed several critical themes. Firstly, the program enhanced parental identity, with fathers reporting a renewed understanding of their importance in their children's lives. Secondly, there was an increase in parental efficacy, with fathers feeling more confident in their parenting abilities, particularly in communication and emotional support. Thirdly, the program strengthened father-child bonds, leading to more meaningful interactions and improved relationship quality. Additionally, the program fostered personal growth, with fathers exhibiting increased resilience, self-determination, and hope. They showed a greater willingness to reflect on themselves, adopt positive behaviours, and aspire to be better role models.

Conclusion and Implementation: In conclusion, the 'Be My Hero' program has demonstrated a significant positive impact on incarcerated fathers in Hong Kong. By focusing on enhancing paternal identity, parental efficacy, and father-child attachment, the program has not only improved the fathers' parenting skills but also fostered a sense of personal growth. These results underscore the importance of implementing and supporting parenting programs within the prison system to foster family resilience and well-being.