Constance M Dallas1. 1. Department of Health Systems Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen Avenue, Room 952 (m/c 802), Chicago, IL 60612-7350, USA. dallascm@uic.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine interactions between adolescent fathers and health care professionals from the perspectives of the families of the adolescent fathers during pregnancy and early postpartum. DESIGN: Content analysis methods were used to analyze data from the prenatal and 1 month data points of a larger longitudinal qualitative case study design examining paternal involvement. A purposive sample of 25 sets of unmarried, low-income Black adolescent fathers, adolescent mothers, and at least one of each of their parents were individually interviewed at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after birth using a semistructured interview guide. SETTING: Approximately 90% of participants were interviewed in their homes. PARTICIPANTS: Annual household incomes were between 0 dollars to 28K dollars (M=14,661 dollars). The 111 participants included 25 sets of adolescent parents, 50 grandmothers, and 11 grandfathers. Approximately 75% of the adolescent fathers were 17 to 19 years of age. RESULTS: Supportive (information, emotional, and material support), distancing, and neutralizing interactions between health care professionals and adolescent fathers were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Although most interactions were perceived as supportive, distancing, and neutralizing interactions could potentially have negative long-term effects for these vulnerable families and contribute to disparities in health care. Nurses may be important resources for these new fathers.
OBJECTIVE: To examine interactions between adolescent fathers and health care professionals from the perspectives of the families of the adolescent fathers during pregnancy and early postpartum. DESIGN: Content analysis methods were used to analyze data from the prenatal and 1 month data points of a larger longitudinal qualitative case study design examining paternal involvement. A purposive sample of 25 sets of unmarried, low-income Black adolescent fathers, adolescent mothers, and at least one of each of their parents were individually interviewed at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after birth using a semistructured interview guide. SETTING: Approximately 90% of participants were interviewed in their homes. PARTICIPANTS: Annual household incomes were between 0 dollars to 28K dollars (M=14,661 dollars). The 111 participants included 25 sets of adolescent parents, 50 grandmothers, and 11 grandfathers. Approximately 75% of the adolescent fathers were 17 to 19 years of age. RESULTS: Supportive (information, emotional, and material support), distancing, and neutralizing interactions between health care professionals and adolescent fathers were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Although most interactions were perceived as supportive, distancing, and neutralizing interactions could potentially have negative long-term effects for these vulnerable families and contribute to disparities in health care. Nurses may be important resources for these new fathers.
Authors: Constance M Dallas; Kathleen Norr; Barbara L Dancy; Karen Kavanaugh; Linda Cassata Journal: West J Nurs Res Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 1.967