Working out dads (WOD): a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a group-based peer support intervention for men experiencing mental health difficulties in early fatherhood

Rebecca Giallo; Monique Seymour; Alison Fogarty; Casey Hosking; Le Ann Williams; Amanda Cooklin; Anneke Grobler; Jemimah Ride; Liana Leach; Brian Oldenburg; Catherine Wood; Rohan Borschmann; Jacquie O'Brien; Kirsty Evans; Karli Treyvaud; Craig Garfield; Stephanie Brown; Jan Nicholson

doi:10.1186/s12888-022-03698-5

Working out dads (WOD): a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a group-based peer support intervention for men experiencing mental health difficulties in early fatherhood

BMC Psychiatry. 2022 Feb 12;22(1):111. doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-03698-5.

Authors

Rebecca Giallo^{1

2

3}, Monique Seymour⁴, Alison Fogarty⁴, Casey Hosking⁴, Le Ann Williams⁵, Amanda Cooklin⁶, Anneke Grobler⁴, Jemimah Ride⁷, Liana Leach⁸, Brian Oldenburg^{6

9}, Catherine Wood¹⁰, Rohan Borschmann^{4

7}, Jacquie O'Brien⁵, Kirsty Evans⁵, Karli Treyvaud⁶, Craig Garfield¹¹, Stephanie Brown^{4

7}, Jan Nicholson⁶

Affiliations

¹ Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia. rebecca.giallo@mcri.edu.au.
² The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia. rebecca.giallo@mcri.edu.au.
³ LaTrobe University, Bundoora, Australia. rebecca.giallo@mcri.edu.au.
⁴ Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
⁵ Tweddle Child & Family Health Service, Footscray, Australia.
⁶ LaTrobe University, Bundoora, Australia.
⁷ The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
⁸ The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
⁹ Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
¹⁰ Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia.
¹¹ Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.

Abstract

Background: Approximately one in ten men experience mental health difficulties during the early years of fatherhood, and these can have negative impacts on children and families. However, few evidence-based interventions targeting fathers' mental health are available. The aim of the trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Working Out Dads (WOD) - a facilitated peer support group intervention for fathers of young children, in reducing psychological distress and other mental health symptoms.

Methods: This trial will employ a parallel-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of WOD peer support group intervention compared to usual care (a 30-min mental health and service focused phone consultation with a health professional). A total of 280 fathers of young children (aged 0-4 years) who are experiencing mental health difficulties and/or are at risk of poor mental health will be recruited. Randomisation and analyses will be at the level of the individual participant. The primary outcome is psychological distress symptoms, measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) from baseline to 24 weeks post randomisation. A range of secondary outcomes will be assessed including suicidal ideation; mental health disorders, specific symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress; social support, quality of life, health service use, and health care costs. Data will be collected at baseline, 10- and 24 weeks post-randomisation.

Discussion: This trial will examine the effectiveness of a novel group-based peer support intervention in reducing the psychological distress and other mental health symptoms of fathers compared to usual care. The economic and process evaluation will guide policy decision making along with informing the future implementation of WOD on a larger scale if effectiveness is demonstrated.

Trial registration: The current trial has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Registration ID - NCT04813042 ). Date of Registration: March 22nd, 2021.

Keywords: Cost-effectiveness; Early parenthood; Effectiveness; Fathers; Mental health; Peer support intervention; Randomised controlled trial.

Publication types

Clinical Trial Protocol
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child
Child, Preschool
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Counseling
Humans
Male
Mental Disorders* / psychology
Mental Health
Psychological Distress*
Quality of Life
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04813042