Supporting couples to reduce the risk of FASD v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Reducing the risk of FASD through reducing inter-parental conflict and increasing couple coping.
IRAS ID
264779
Contact name
Shannon Hirst
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
OnePlusOne
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Stressors associated with the transition to parenthood (TTP) can trigger a significant decline in relationship quality and increase relationship conflict. Frequent unresolved relationship conflict is linked to alcohol use. This matters both to the wellbeing of parents and of their developing child. Drinking alcohol when pregnant puts the developing foetus at risk of a Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The proposed project aims to answer whether a blended practice approach to increasing couple coping and reducing couple conflict, can reduce the risk of FASD?
We will test a blended practice approach consisting of upskilling frontline practitioners (midwives and Family Support Workers: FSW) and developing an evidence based digital resource, based on Couple Coping Enhancement Training (CCET) and Couple CARE for Parents (CCP).
We will recruit two types of participants: frontline practitioners and couples in TTP. Midwives and FSW will be selected through their registering interest in the training resource. Couples will be identified by midwives during routine antenatal appointments. The offer will be universal but particularly useful for those couples at risk of conflict and alcohol use during the TTP.
The study will be carried out in health centres and in family homes; wherever the midwives and FSW that we recruit work with their service users.
The study will take place over 1-year. We will conduct group and individual user research sessions to gather the experiences of couples in the TTP, which will be used to co-create content. We will carry out ‘Brief Encounter’ training for midwives and FSW. Brief Encounters is an RCT validated ‘brief relationship communication intervention’. Midwives and FSW will develop skills in identifying and talking about relationship issues with couple. We will train FSW to use the digital resource with couples identified by midwives and referred to FSW.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0151
Date of REC Opinion
5 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion