Beyond Kayaking - A qualitative investigation of parents and facilitators views regrading an outdoor, activity-based, multi-session parenting intervention program.

The Beyond Kayaking program is a free, outdoor activity-based, parenting intervention delivered across multiple sessions to vulnerable families in regional South Australia. Current literature on outdoor activity-based interventions have demonstrated improvements in family communication, problem-solving, bonding and trust. However, these studies are mostly based on single session interventions from the United States. This study explored the subjectively reported benefits of a multi-session intervention delivered in an Australian setting including how families perceived their relationships had changed (if at all) through participation in the program. This was accomplished through the use of open-ended, qualitative interviews with 20 parents who participated in the Beyond Kayaking program between 2016 and 2017. Additionally, a one-off focus group with three members of Beyond Kayaking staff was conducted to give context to the research. Thematic analysis of the data identified three dominant themes regarding participants' experiences of the Beyond Kayaking program. The first theme was 'building family capacity' and identified how kayaking produced an environment that helped families to communicate and problem solve together, which improved family understanding overall. The second theme was 'local culture' which discussed how education on local Indigenous culture helped build awareness in non-Indigenous people while helping Indigenous families to connect. The final theme 'support and shared circumstances' discussed the benefits of participants meeting people in similar circumstance, which helped them both improve, and feel better about, their own situation. Importantly, this study demonstrates that learning a new skill while being unsure and vulnerable in front of others strengthens family relationships - thus improving understanding of how activity-based interventions aid families. However, longitudinal research that follows up with participants is needed to better understand the lasting impacts of the improvements witnessed in this research.

Antenatal Dads and First Year Families program: a qualitative study of fathers' and program facilitators' experiences of a community-based program in Australia.

AIM: Currently, there is limited knowledge on the impact of father-only sessions or parenting programs supporting impending fatherhood. This research explored an antenatal dads program aimed at fathers to assess the benefits of such interventions. BACKGROUND: Literature regarding parenting programs and early childhood education initiatives, especially those aimed at children and families in disadvantaged circumstance, have been demonstrated to act as a buffer to poorer health and lifestyle outcomes in later life. METHODS: A qualitative research approach was used to explore the experiences of 16 fathers and 6 staff of a community-based parenting program with sessions focusing on fatherhood. FINDINGS: Four main themes were identified from the data regarding the experiences of groups engaged with the Antenatal Dads and First Year Families program. The first theme 'Knowledge and Capacity Building' stated that the information provided in the program helped fathers to be better informed and prepared for their impending fatherhood. The second theme was 'Mental Health Awareness' and identified the importance of raising awareness of depression and suicide in fathers, including where and how to get help. The third theme was 'Soft-Entry' and highlighted how the attendance at one service helped participants to learn about additional services through word of mouth and targeted promotion. The final theme was 'Feeling Connected', which helped fathers to feel more connected with the process of childbirth and development including playing and engaging with their children. Overall, the fathers found that the male-only sessions assisted them by supporting frank discussions on fatherhood. Additionally, the study helped identify the advantages of fathers meeting other fathers through attendance in the program, or even other couples in similar situations that helped fathers to feel less lonely regarding their situation.