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research centers on the University of Missouri Extension's 4-H
Living Interactive Family Education (LIFE) program at the Potosi
Correctional Center (PCC). The objective of this study is to
assess the impact of the LIFE program on the quality of
parent-child relationships and the well being of participant
children. It is hypothesized that enhanced visits contribute to
the quality of parent-child relationships. Better parent-child
relationships, in turn, lead to happier, more successful,
better-adjusted children.
Objectives: The focus group
will elicit discussion of the 4-H LIFE Program and the ways in which
the fathers feel the program has affected 1) their relationships
with their children and 2) their children's well-being. Fathers
will be encouraged to discuss how their relationships with their
children have changed since joining the program, describe any
changes that they have observed in their children as a result of
program participation, and explain how these changes came about.
Specific discussion areas will include:
- impacts on the quality of
parent-child relationships
- impacts on children
- at home
- in school
- in the community
Description of the participants:
The focus groups will be conducted with all of the LIFE
program incarcerated fathers who consent to participate. Their
children will not be present. If more than six program
participants consent to participate, they will be separated into
two or more groups. Aside from the participants, the investigator,
J. Gordon Arbuckle, will be present. If the Potosi Correctional
Center deems it necessary, a prison official will also be present.
Informed consent: Informed
consent forms will be distributed and collected by PCC or MU
Extension
staff prior to the focus groups.
Description of the focus group:
The participants and the facilitator will sit in a circle or
around a table for the discussion. The facilitator will begin the
meeting by introducing himself and explaining that the purpose of
the focus group session will be to learn about the impacts of the
LIFE program on participant children. The focus group meeting will
last between 30 and 60 minutes. It will be tape-recorded.
Scheduling the focus group:
The focus group will be held either during the time in which
parenting meetings normally take place or at another time as
dictated by PCC staff. Thus, participating fathers may miss some
or all of a parenting meeting. We will work with the PCC
Institutional Activities Coordinator to select a time that is
convenient for the participants.
Focus Group Discussion Guide:
The following questions will provide the framework for the focus
group discussion. While questions that are not listed here may be
asked in order to follow up on participant responses, the focus
group discussion will center on these main questions. The
introduction and debriefing statements will be read to
participants.
Introduction
The purpose of this study is to
find out how participation in the 4-H LIFE program has affected your
children. We would like you to share your honest feelings about
any changes, positive or negative, that you have noted in your
children over the period of the program. Everything that you say
here will be kept confidential, and your names, the names of
your children, and any other identifying information will not be
used in any report coming from this research.
We have a limited amount of time,
so I might have to interrupt from time-to-time to keep things
moving.
Opening question
Could each of you tell me your
name and tell me how long you and your children have been
involved in the LIFE program?
Introductory question
What motivated you to participate
in the LIFE program?
Transition question
Could you name one important
difference between a regular visit and a LIFE program visit and
describe why that difference is important? (if responses are not
forthcoming, explore specific areas - atmosphere, physical
interaction, communication)
Key questions
Do you think that being in the
LIFE program has improved your relationship with your child in
any way? If so, how?
Do you think that participation
in the LIFE program has benefited your child in any way? If so,
how?
Ending question
What are the most important
changes that you have observed in your children since you joined
the program?
Follow-up questions will be
asked, when appropriate, to gather further information on
perceived changes. If fathers assert that changes have taken
place, the investigator will ask them how they think the program
has contributed to those changes.
Debriefing
I would like to thank you for
your participation. I also want to restate that what you have
shared with me is confidential. No part of our discussion that
includes names or other identifying information will be used in
any reports, displays, or other publicly accessible media coming
from this research. Finally, I want to provide you with a chance
to ask any questions that you might have about this research. Do
you have any questions for me?
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