Centre for Educational Research, School of Education Western Sydney University, Australia Empathic Connection or Addictive Flight? Helping fathers in recovery from addiction develop empathic relationships with their children. Dion Stuart Khlentzos A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) September 2017 Dedication This research is about fathers and families, and I would very much like to dedicate this work to my family. In particular, my father, who died just before I commenced this research, was indeed the greatest influence on my embarking on this research. And while I have spoken about what I didn’t receive from him as a child, I am truly thankful for the many things I did receive from him. I also want to acknowledge my dear mother, whose love and endurance have been vital to my growth. To my sister Michelle and brothers Drew and Darien, you have been and are wonderful companions on my journey towards maturity and ‘sanity’. Finally, and above all, to my wife Anne and son James: I am grateful to both of you beyond words for all your patience and generosity of spirit in this long and at times painful process. I feel blessed that you have both been with me on this journey, and I look forward to embarking on many other – hopefully less tortuous – adventures together! Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge first and foremost my research supervisors, Dr Brenda Dobia and Dr Roberto Parada, who have been very wise, patient and positive throughout my journey and have stuck with me right to the end. In particular I want to acknowledge Brenda’s consistent help over nearly eight years. Other influential people have been the Tuning in to Kids facilitators, particularly Ann Harley, who gave me helpful advice about running emotion-focused parenting groups. In addition, Andrew King, from the Institute of Group Leaders, gave me very astute advice concerning working with men in groups such as these. Finally, I would like to thank the organisations that have willingly participated in helping me to conduct this research. In particular I am very grateful to The Salvation Army and Odyssey House for their support in my endeavour to source appropriate participants. Statement of Authentication The work presented in this thesis is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, original except as acknowledged in the text. I hereby declare that I have not submitted this material, either in full or part, for a degree at this or any other institution. Dion Khlentzos September 2017 Copyright Statement I hereby grant the University of Western Sydney or its agents the right to archive and make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in university libraries in all forms of media, now or hereafter known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis, or I have obtained permission to use copyright material. Where permission has not been granted, I have applied or will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation. Dion Khlentzos September 2017 Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... v List of Abbreviations ....................................................................................................... xii Abstract .......................................................................................................................... xiii Personal Context .............................................................................................................. xv CHAPTER 1. LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................... 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 2 Fatherhood: History and Evolution ........................................................................................................... 3 A History of Fathering in the Western World ................................................................................ 3 Perspectives from Evolutionary Theory......................................................................................... 5 Men, Masculinity and Fatherhood ........................................................................................................... 6 Sociological perspectives on masculinity ...................................................................................... 6 Masculinity and fatherhood ........................................................................................................... 9 Becoming a Father: from Attachment in Infancy to Paternal Attachment............................................. 13 Attachment and male development .............................................................................................. 13 Adjustment and delinquency in adolescent boys and young men ................................................ 14 Barriers to becoming effective fathers ......................................................................................... 15 Fathering and attachment ............................................................................................................. 17 Empathic Connection, Addiction and Gender ......................................................................................... 20 Empathy, attachment and emotion regulation .............................................................................. 20 Neurology and assessment of empathy ........................................................................................ 21 Addiction and gender ................................................................................................................... 23 Aetiology of addiction ................................................................................................................. 23 Addictions and empathy .............................................................................................................. 27 Fathers, Stress and Addiction ................................................................................................................. 29 Addictions and fatherhood ........................................................................................................... 29 Addiction recovery for fathers ..................................................................................................... 30 Fathers and Vulnerable Families ............................................................................................................ 31 Divorce and fathers’ separation from their children .................................................................... 31 The impacts of fathers’ addictions and mental health problems on families ............................... 32 Research into Parenting Styles ............................................................................................................... 34 Features of effective parenting ..................................................................................................... 34 Behavioural and emotion-focused parenting programs................................................................ 35 Empathy: help or harm to the parents? ........................................................................................ 36 Attachment-related disturbances in parenting .............................................................................. 37 Developments in Australian and International Programs for Men and Fathers..................................... 38 Overview ...................................................................................................................................... 38 Programs for Boys and Young Men ............................................................................................ 38 Addiction Rehabilitation Programs .............................................................................................. 39 Parenting Programs: General parenting skills and father-specific programs ............................... 41 Implications for the Present Study .......................................................................................................... 43 Summary of Previous Findings .................................................................................................... 43 i Importance of the Present Study .................................................................................................. 43 Research Questions ...................................................................................................................... 44 Preview of the Coming Chapters ............................................................................................................ 44 CHAPTER 2. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................... 46 Methodological Foundation ................................................................................................................... 47 Mixed Methods Approach ........................................................................................................... 47 Research Design .........................................................................................................................