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Strategies to increase fathers’ engagement in child protection investigations due to domestic partner abuse in Sweden

Grönte, Maria ; Mattsson, Tina LU and Plantin, Lars (2023) In Child & Family Social Work
Abstract
Social workers often fail to engage fathers in child protection investigations (CPIs), especially when they involve domestic abuse (DA) by fathers. The aim of this study is to examine the strategies used by social workers to achieve cooperation with fathers in CPIs that involve the father being suspected of DA against the child's mother. With the use of qualitative methods, we conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with 15 social workers during their work on 12 CPI cases. Through thematic analysis, two main strategies for achieving cooperation were created: (1) Securing an Initial Bond, which involved reducing the tension in CPI proceedings and affirming the father; (2) Maintaining the Bond while addressing the... (More)
Social workers often fail to engage fathers in child protection investigations (CPIs), especially when they involve domestic abuse (DA) by fathers. The aim of this study is to examine the strategies used by social workers to achieve cooperation with fathers in CPIs that involve the father being suspected of DA against the child's mother. With the use of qualitative methods, we conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with 15 social workers during their work on 12 CPI cases. Through thematic analysis, two main strategies for achieving cooperation were created: (1) Securing an Initial Bond, which involved reducing the tension in CPI proceedings and affirming the father; (2) Maintaining the Bond while addressing the father's abusive behaviour, which involved negotiating with fathers about the DA and helping them shift their perspective on how their behaviour has impacted the victims. This analysis is rooted in the framework of shame, guilt and social bonds. However, there is a risk that these strategies may lead to the DA being minimized or overlooked. Striking a balance between building a bond and addressing abuse is crucial, and the timing of addressing DA plays a central role. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
child protection, cooperation, domestic abuse, fathers, social workers, strategies
in
Child & Family Social Work
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:85180895889
ISSN
1356-7500
DOI
10.1111/cfs.13126
language
Swedish
LU publication?
yes
id
eaab5f0b-ae39-403d-8f05-444478fd16a7
date added to LUP
2024-01-10 08:14:09
date last changed
2024-01-11 09:29:07
@article{eaab5f0b-ae39-403d-8f05-444478fd16a7,
  abstract     = {{Social workers often fail to engage fathers in child protection investigations (CPIs), especially when they involve domestic abuse (DA) by fathers. The aim of this study is to examine the strategies used by social workers to achieve cooperation with fathers in CPIs that involve the father being suspected of DA against the child's mother. With the use of qualitative methods, we conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with 15 social workers during their work on 12 CPI cases. Through thematic analysis, two main strategies for achieving cooperation were created: (1) <i>Securing an Initial Bond</i>, which involved <i>reducing the tension in CPI proceedings</i> and <i>affirming </i>the father; (2) <i>Maintaining the Bond while addressing the father's abusive behaviour</i>, which involved <i>negotiating </i>with fathers about the DA and helping them <i>shift their perspective</i> on how their behaviour has impacted the victims. This analysis is rooted in the framework of shame, guilt and social bonds. However, there is a risk that these strategies may lead to the DA being minimized or overlooked. Striking a balance between building a bond and addressing abuse is crucial, and the timing of addressing DA plays a central role.}},
  author       = {{Grönte, Maria and Mattsson, Tina and Plantin, Lars}},
  issn         = {{1356-7500}},
  keywords     = {{child protection; cooperation; domestic abuse; fathers; social workers; strategies}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  month        = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Child & Family Social Work}},
  title        = {{Strategies to increase fathers’ engagement in child protection investigations due to domestic partner abuse in Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cfs.13126}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/cfs.13126}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}