Father participation with mothers in the Signposts program: an initial investigation

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. Method: Data from Signposts Statewide were analysed, with the effect size Cohen a?? s d and 95 coni?? dence 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 benei?? tted 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 benei?? ts for mothers who participate in Signposts with fathers, and are of particular signii?? cance in light of research describing the increased stress experienced by mothers of children with a disability.