The practice and evaluation of an educational program on the promotion of Japanese fathers' involvement in child rearing

[Objective] To develop a child rearing skill and education program for fathers, implemented through participatory child rearing seminars. Design: A quasi-experimental survey-based study using used pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test questionnaires to evaluate the effects of the program. Setting: Kobe, Japan. Participants: Thirty-five fathers of preschoolers. [Methods] Nineteen fathers completed the questionnaires and participated in the program; 16 served as controls, only completing questionnaires. Data were collected using the Stress Evaluation Scale, the Scale of Development Brought About by Becoming a Father and questions assessing the father’s share of childrearing and level of independence in completing child rearing tasks. [Results] Participants who attended the program at least three times showed significant improvement in scores on the Stress Evaluation Scale, Scale of Development Brought about by becoming a Father, and independence in performing daily parenting tasks. This group’s post-test scores on items assessing the father’s share of child rearing were also significantly higher than their pre-test scores; moreover, follow-up scores were significantly higher than both pre-test and post-test scores. [Conclusions] Our education program increased fathers’ independence in performing daily parenting tasks, and increased their performed share of child rearing. The program also resulted in relief of fathers’ stress and enhanced their sense of personal development.