title: Father participation with mothers in the Signposts program: an initial investigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Signposts program is an evidence-based intervention system for parents of children with intellectual disability and problem behaviours. This study provided an initial investigation of the outcomes for mothers associated with father participation in Signposts, using data collected from the Signposts Statewide project, conducted in Victoria, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from Signposts Statewide were analysed, with the effect size Cohen's d and 95% confidence interval around d calculated for pre- to post-program changes for 134 mothers who participated in Signposts with fathers and 483 mothers who participated without fathers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although mothers in both groups benefitted from the program, as evidenced by pre- to post-program improvements across all measures, the mean effect size was notably larger for mothers who participated in Signposts with fathers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results highlight possible further program benefits for mothers who participate in Signposts with fathers, and are of particular significance in light of research describing the increased stress experienced by mothers of children with a disability.
authors.affiliation: Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. fi ona.may@monash.edu
authors.forename: Fiona S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Louise A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005220:Fathers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria