Actively Recruiting
Substance Misuse and Family Violence Treatment for Fathers
Led by Yale University · Updated on 2026-05-22
280
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
Y
Yale University
Lead Sponsor
A
APT Foundation, Inc.
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating Fathers for Change (F4C) compared to Individual Drug Counseling (IDC) in a randomized controlled trial involving 280 fathers enrolled in substance use treatment within community or veterans healthcare settings. The study aims to show F4C's effectiveness in reducing substance misuse and family violence at the end of treatment and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. It also explores how improved emotion regulation may help reduce these issues within the F4C program. F4C is delivered over 18 sessions, focusing on fatherhood as motivation, emotional awareness and regulation, co-parent communication, and restorative parenting skills. IDC, also delivered in 18 sessions, is an individual substance use treatment based on the disease model and 12-step recovery philosophy, without emphasis on fatherhood or co-parenting. Both programs provide behavioral interventions aimed at addressing substance misuse and family violence among fathers. Participants will be assessed for substance misuse and family violence weekly during the 18-week treatment and at weeks 19, 32, and 45 post-treatment. Emotion regulation and thought patterns will also be evaluated at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-ups. The study includes regular assessments and monitoring to track changes in behavior and emotional regulation throughout the trial period, which runs until December 2030.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Substance Misuse and Family Violence Treatment Fathers
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Meet DSM-5 criteria for a substance use disorder at the time of assessment
- Report family violence within the last 18 months prior to screening
- Have at least one biological child aged 1 to 12 years who lives with you or whom you see at least twice per month in person
- Able to complete assessments in English
- Agree to have female coparents of the youngest child contacted for participation
You will not qualify if you...
- Have an active full or no contact protective order pertaining to your child
- Have physiological addiction requiring detoxification (may be re-evaluated after detox)
- Have cognitive impairment (mini mental state score less than 25)
- Have current untreated psychotic or bipolar disorder
- Currently suicidal or homicidal based on screening
- Currently receiving weekly individual therapy for substance misuse or family violence
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Approximately 18 weeks
Participants receive either Fathers for Change (F4C) or Individual Drug Counseling (IDC), both consisting of 18 behavioral therapy sessions focused on substance misuse and family violence treatment.
Weekly visits for up to 18 weeks
Duration - Up to 27 weeks post-treatment
Participants are assessed for substance misuse, family violence, emotion dysregulation, and related outcomes at multiple points after treatment ends.
3 visits at weeks 19, 32, and 45
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Yale University Child Study Center
New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06520
Actively Recruiting
2
APT Foundation
West Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06516
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Carla S Stover, Ph.D.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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