Fathers of children born to adolescent mothers. Predictors of contact with their children at 2 years
J. E. Cox and W. G. Bithoney
Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with long-term involvement of the
fathers of children born to adolescent mothers receiving health care in a
teen-tot clinic. DESIGN: Ninety-three first-time adolescent mothers younger
than 18 years receiving care in a hospital-based teen-tot clinic
participated in standardized structured interviews at 2 weeks and 24 months
post partum. Data were obtained on demographic factors, the father's
prenatal and delivery involvement, frequency of the father's contact with
his child, and his participation in child care and financial support of the
child. RESULTS: Factors associated with at least monthly contact between
father and child during the first 24 months of the child's life were
attending at least one prenatal visit, seeing the newborn in the hospital,
and a reported supportive relationship between the young mother's family
and the father at the 2-week interview. Age of the father and his
education, work, or living arrangement did not predict involvement at 24
months. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests an association between a father's
active participation in both the prenatal and neonatal periods and later
contacts between children of adolescent mothers and their fathers. Since
other studies indicate that paternal involvement results in more effective
maternal parenting and satisfaction, interventions that encourage fathers'
participation in both prenatal and intrapartum care should be developed and
rigorously evaluated.
