Abstract Co-parenting plays a central role in family systems and is associated with relationship quality and a range of child outcomes. New parents may face co-parenting challenges as they enter the early parenting period. Therefore, it is important that new parents are able to seek supports and assistance during this period. The aims of this study were threefold: (1) to explore the reasons why parents enquire about an existing co-parenting intervention; (2) describe the characteristics of parents who enrol; and (3) identify socio-ecological factors that significantly impact commencement of the program. Secondary analysis was conducted using data from 398 families participating in a co-parenting intervention delivered during the early parenting period (0–12 months postpartum), facilitated by a community health service in Melbourne, Australia. Thematic analysis revealed that parents commonly sought the program to (1) build capacity in areas such as couple communication, parenting skills, stress management, and relationship quality; (2) address psychosocial stressors (e.g., mental health, financial stress, child difficulties); and (3) increase external support. Survey data showed that most parents who enrolled in the program were Australian born, with tertiary-level education, who were employed, had one or more children, and did not identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Parents who then commenced the program were generally in stable relationships, while those, particularly mothers, who reported severe financial difficulties and high levels of verbal and physical conflict were less likely to start the program. These findings highlight the profiles of parents who commenced a co-parenting program, providing insights for future research and development of co-parenting programs.
Bai et al. (Thu,) studied this question.