Profiles and Patterns of Paternal Involvement in the lives of Pregnant and Parenting Adolescent Mothers of Color

This presentation examines fathers’ involvement during adolescent mothers’ pregnancy, birthing, and early parenting. Quantitative and qualitative program evaluation data were analyzed from a 10-year community-based doula program that served 485 pregnant and parenting adolescent mothers where 292 (60%) were African American, and 193 (40%) were Latina.  The evaluation inquiry for understanding the roles of fathers centered on the characteristics and dimensions of father involvement during pregnancy and the early months of parenting.  Mixed methods data analysis revealed that 264 (60%) adolescent mothers reported receiving greater levels of emotional and financial support during the early months of pregnancy, but at 90 days post-partum, approximately half (n=139 or 31%) reported continued financial support.  Even more alarming, doulas’ observation notes indicated patterns of intimate partner violence, frequent break-ups, and STI’s.  Data analysis revealed that: (1) 70% of all fathers lived with their own parents/extended families; (2) black mothers reporting high rates of fathers’ being incarcerated and unemployed; and (3) Latina moms reported having fathers who were significantly older and often working out of town. Despite, doulas’ attempts to include fathers during prenatal visits, and birthing classes, participation remained limited. At the same time, adolescent mothers tended to consider fathers’ perspectives when making child and maternal health decisions related to breastfeeding, birth control usage, and returning to school and work. This study has implications for future public health home visit programs in addressing social and economic determinants of child and maternal well-being, such as “rapid” repeat pregnancy, violence, school drop-out, and long-term welfare dependency.