Session: Early Stage Implementation Efforts to Transport an Adapted Evidence-Based Parenting Intervention to War-Affected Families in Northern Uganda (Society for Prevention Research 23rd Annual Meeting)

SESSION INTRODUCTION: Over two decades of civil war in Northern Uganda has resulted in adverse mental health consequences and deleterious impacts on family relationships, including higher levels of partner violence and chronic childhood abuse. The adaptation and adoption of interventions to support mental health and family functioning is widely endorsed by prevention scientists and considered a priority in global mental health. The 2012 National Institute of Health report on grand challenges in mental health stated that the identification of root causes, risk and protective factors for populations stricken by poverty, violence, war and disaster is a priority and that advances in the identification of early interventions must follow. The goal of this symposium session is to present a series of related studies aimed at preventing negative child outcomes by improving the parenting practices of a vulnerable population of war-affected families through the adaptation and transportation of an evidence-based parenting intervention. The symposium brings together researchers from the United States, Germany, and Uganda representing diverse institutions that have been collaborating to support families exposed to prolonged periods of traumatic stress related to war and violence.

The first paper called “Assessing and Preparing the Field for Testing a Parenting Intervention for War-Affected Families in Northern Uganda” documents the processes involved in engaging with this community to assess parenting practices, values and beliefs as well as perceived need for outside support with parenting. Manual adaptation and development of culturally specific content for this population are also described.

The second paper, “Assessing the Feasibility of Providing a Parenting Intervention for War-Affected Mothers in Northern Uganda” describes cultural adaptation, early stages of adoption and implementation efforts, and the results of piloting a 9-session manualized parenting intervention with two groups of mothers (n=14).

The third paper, “Fathering Roles and Alcohol Abuse in Northern Uganda” explored the role of fathers in Acholi families and the impact of alcohol on these roles. The presentation will document the results of an ethnographic study conducted in and around Gulu with key stakeholders, groups of substance users and non-users, and mothers. Data included in-depth interviews, focus groups, field observation, and 5-minute father-child structured interaction tasks.

At the conclusion of the presentations, the discussant who is a renowned expert in prevention science and parenting interventions will make summary statements and moderate a discussion between the presenters and symposium attendees. It is expected that this symposium documenting specific research efforts to address mental heath and family relationships using prevention approaches in a post-conflict society will be valuable to SPR attendees interested in global mental health.