From Distress to Growth: A Pragmatic Case Study Exploring a Father’s Change Mechanisms in a Parenting Program

Abstract

Despite the general perception of parenthood as joyful and fulfilling, the demands of child-rearing can be challenging for parents’ mental health. Although parenting programs have been proposed as effective strategies for improving parenting practices and mental health, less is known about the change mechanisms that drive their outcomes. Therefore, using a pragmatic case study approach, this study examined the change mechanisms of a father who participated in the ACT-Raising Safe Kids Program. The case was analyzed with a session-by-session clinical analysis, a post-intervention interview, and questionnaire data. The case was further situated within a broader sociocultural context to explore how societal factors shaped his experience with the program. Results indicated clinically significant improvements in mental health and emotion regulation from pre-intervention to follow-up. As reflected in the clinical analysis, the participant moved from being highly distressed at pre-intervention to gradually understanding and reframing his emotions and behaviors after program completion. Although Philippe showed a clinically significant reduction in loneliness at post-intervention, the scores reverted to baseline by follow-up. These findings may reflect a broader societal trend in which parents may need more support but receive less due to the increasing individualization of society, highlighting the need for stronger community ties and accessible support systems for parents.