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The current study utilized a three-step cultural adaptation process to adapt a universal-coparenting program for Latinx adolescent parents in a school-based setting. First, focus groups were conducted with adolescent parents (n = 13; 100% Latinx; 69% female), their parents (n = 17; 94% Latinx; 82% female), and school staff (n = 7; 71% White; 100% female) to identify unique needs faced by this population. Second, the program was adapted to include new lesson modules (e.g., coparenting with grandparents, coparenting after breakups) and structural reformatting to fit a school schedule. Third, selected lessons from the adapted program were piloted in four schools with 32 Latinx adolescent parents (97% Latinx; 78% female). Lesson evaluation surveys and focus group data assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the service delivery method and content to show the program was well received. However, implementation challenges emerged when attempting to provide services to adolescent fathers and Spanish-speaking adolescents. This manuscript provides an example of how to use this cultural adaptation process to tailor prevention programs, highlights a new prevention program that can serve as a resource for adolescent parents, and provides several recommendations for working with Latinx adolescent parents.El presente estudio utilizó un proceso de adaptación cultural de tres pasos para adaptar un programa de cocrianza universal para padres adolescentes latinos en un entorno escolar. En primer lugar, se realizaron grupos de análisis con padres adolescentes (n = 13; el 100 % latinos; el 69 % mujeres), sus padres (n = 17; el 94 % latinos; el 82 % mujeres), y el personal escolar (n = 7; el 71 % blancos; el 100 % mujeres) para identificar las necesidades únicas que enfrenta esta población. En segundo lugar, el programa se adaptó para incluir módulos de enseñanza nuevos (p. ej.: la cocrianza con los abuelos, la cocrianza después de las separaciones) y para modificar el formato estructural de manera que se ajustara al horario escolar. En tercer lugar, se hicieron pruebas piloto de lecciones elegidas del programa adaptado en cuatro escuelas con 32 padres adolescentes latinos (el 97 % latinos; el 78 % mujeres). Se utilizaron encuestas de evaluación de las lecciones y datos de los grupos de análisis para evaluar la viabilidad y la aceptabilidad del método de prestación del servicio y del contenido a fin de demostrar que el programa fue bien recibido. Sin embargo, los desafíos de la implementación surgieron a la hora de prestar servicios a los padres adolescentes y a los adolescentes que hablan español. Este manuscrito brinda un ejemplo de cómo usar este proceso de adaptación cultural para adaptar programas de prevención, destaca un nuevo programa de prevención que puede servir como recurso para padres adolescentes y ofrece varias recomendaciones para trabajar con padres adolescentes latinos.本研究专门为拉丁裔青少年父母在学校为基础的环境下修订了一个文化调适项目，即一项通用-共同抚养孩子教育计划，利用的是三步文化适应过程。首先，进行了重点小组讨论，召集对象是青少年父母(n = 13;Latinx 100%;69%女性)，他们的家长(n = 17;Latinx 94%;女性82%)，学校工作人员(n = 7;71%的白人;100%为女性)，旨在确定这群人所面临的独特需求。其次，该项目进行了调整，加入了一些新的课程模块(例如，与祖父母共同抚养、离异后共同抚养)，并进行结构上的重新调整，以适应学校的时间安排。第三，从调适后的计划中挑选的课程在四所学校进行了试点，这些学校有32名拉丁裔青少年家长(97%是拉丁裔;78%的女性)。课程评估调查和焦点小组数据评估了提供服务的方法和内容的可行性和可接受性，表明该计划深受欢迎。然而，在试图向青少年父亲和说西班牙语的青少年提供服务时，在执行方面遇到一些困难。本文提供了一个如何使用这种文化适应过程来定制预防计划的例子，强调了一种新的预防计划，可以作为青少年父母的资源，并为与拉丁裔青少年父母合作提供了一些建议。.

Purpose The purpose of this secondary analysis of qualitative data was to understand the multifactorial influences that impact the health and health behaviors of Hispanic adolescent fathers Design & methods Qualitative description was the method used for this secondary analysis. The theoretical domains of the Vulnerable Populations Conceptual Framework were used to guide this study. The semi-structured interviews of 17 participants were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Participants were Hispanic adolescent fathers, between the ages of 16 and 23 years, who were attending a fatherhood program. Results Most participants came from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and unstable families. Additionally, their exposure to widespread neighborhood and domestic violence resulted in gang involvement and illegal activities. The cumulative impact of adverse childhood events resulted in substance use and psychological distress. However, becoming a father was transformative, motivating adolescents to stop engaging in destructive, unhealthy behaviors. Conclusion Adolescent fathers’ well-being is an important component of perinatal health because it affects family functioning and health outcomes in their children. The perinatal period presents a “golden” opportunity to promote health and should be leveraged by nurses to allow adolescent fathers to become involved during the perinatal period. Practice Implications A family-centered approach is critical in addressing the complex needs of this population. An assessment of their psychosocial environment, including childhood trauma, is necessary to help nurses identify at-risk fathers. Additionally, trauma informed care is a valuable tool that nurses can utilize to foster trust in Hispanic adolescent fathers.

Adolescent fatherhood is often unplanned and such situations increase adolescents’ vulnerability over their life course. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the world as seen through the eyes of Indonesian adolescent fathers who experienced an unplanned pre-marital pregnancy. Sixteen, in person one-to-one interviews were conducted with eight Indonesian adolescent male participants (age 18–19). Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, translated and thematically analysed. Adolescent’s uncharted journeys prevailed as the overarching theme, as they narrated how their life course had impacted on them. They experienced emotional distress, they were controlled by strong social and cultural expectations and nurtured by older family members. Resourcefulness emerged as ways of coping through renewed faith and hope for a better future. The enduring impact of their distress on economic opportunities, marital harmony, social integration, faith and happiness is worthy of further enquiry.

Problematyka udziału nastoletnich ojców w opiece nad swoimi dziećmi i w ich wychowaniu stanowi aktualnie przedmiot rosnącego zainteresowania ze strony decydentów i społeczeństw. Celem prezentowanego artykułu jest przedstawienie arbitralnie wybranych wyników badań empirycznych, dzięki którym możliwe będzie poznanie udziału nastoletnich ojców w opiece nad dziećmi i w ich wychowaniu. Na podstawie przywołanych w niniejszym artykule wyników badań można stwierdzić, że większość nastoletnich ojców przejawia zainteresowanie sprawami swoich dzieci, a także deklaruje zaangażowanie w opiekę nad nimi nawet wtedy, kiedy nie mieszkają razem z nimi.

Edited by Jacquelyn H. Flaskerud, RN, PhD, FAAN School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, CA Public health crises, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, have led...

Thailand's adolescent pregnancy rate is the second highest in Southeast Asia. Thai expectant fathers are faced with a concurrent dual developmental crisis: being a teenager and becoming a father. T...

This paper applies Collaborative Language Systems (CLS) theory to programs working with high-risk adolescent fathers. Research shows that many barriers prevent these fathers from meaningfully engaging in intervention programs due to a variety of tangible (e.g., lack of transportation, variable employment schedules) and intangible (e.g., poor family-of-origin relationships, discord with child’s mother, history of trauma, perceived stigma) factors. In order to engage and retain fathers, intervention programs need to address these barriers by understanding the needs and cultural values of fathers, creating open and nonjudgmental spaces, and building relationships rather than solely administering curricula. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how CLS principles provide a particularly relevant framework to reduce engagement barriers for this population. Using examples from interviews with n = 27 high-risk adolescent fathers (19–27 years of age, 93% racial or ethnic minority) who participated in fathering programming, this paper shows how CLS provides a theoretical foundation for addressing barriers and working alongside fathers. Several aspects of CLS emerged through thematic coding, which suggest that creating a sense of belonging through non-judgmental spaces and fostering open group dynamics characterized by equality motivated fathers’ engagement in fathering programming. This paper adds to the meager research on theoretically grounded and effective methods for engaging fathers in parenting programs.

Rationale Although several systematic reviews have addressed the antecedents and consequences of adolescent motherhood, none have examined adolescent fatherhood. Objectives The aims of this systematic review were to identify evidence-based factors that increase the probability of adolescent fatherhood and to identify outcomes that differ between adolescent fathers compared to two other groups, namely adult fathers and non-father age peers. The current study used a theoretical framework, Parke's systems view, to guide the review. Method The search strategy included a bibliographic search of PubMed and PsycINFO. To be included, publications had to be (a) peer-reviewed, (b) quantitative studies, (c) published in English, and (d) compare adolescent fathers ( 19 years) or to non-father peers (13- to 19-years old). Results A total of 2869 unique published sources were screened and 39 met these inclusion criteria. More than half of the articles focused on antecedents (k = 24), with the most consistent evidence showing that adolescent fathers come from disadvantaged backgrounds characterized by single-parent households and low parental socioeconomic status. There is also evidence that adolescent fathers were disproportionately Black or Latino (vs. White), had lower academic competence, engaged in more delinquent behavior (e.g., vandalism), and had peers who engaged in more anti-social behaviors. Articles on the outcomes of adolescent fatherhood (k = 23) yielded consistent evidence that their offspring are at greater risk of being preterm or low birthweight and psychological disorders as compared to the offspring of adult fathers. Conclusions Much of the literature was published prior to the year 2000, and methodological weaknesses are noted. Nonetheless, this review has implications for beginning to establish an evidence-based understanding of adolescent fathers. Future rigorous and theory-driven research can provide an even clearer picture and a basis for intervention.

Using a life course theory perspective, this qualitative descriptive study explored how Hispanic adolescent fathers view fatherhood, and how their perception of parenthood is shaped by critical life events. Hispanics are one of the largest ethnic groups, as well as one of the populations that is overrepresented in adolescent births in the United States. Despite this, Hispanic adolescent fathers are understudied and underrepresented in research. Participants were recruited from a community-based fatherhood program. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Hispanic fathers, ages 16 years to 23 years. Participants conveyed their grief over fragmented family relationships and limited interactions with their own father. Some lived in hostile environments where they frequently experienced racism, discrimination, and neighborhood violence. The cumulative impact of these events resulted in substance use and emotional distress. Becoming a father was a sentinel event that helped resolve negative perceptions about fatherhood. Fatherhood also motivated participants towards a more productive, meaningful life.

Background Becoming an adolescent father is a significant and critical life event. Expectant fathers are faced with a concurrent dual developmental crisis: being an adolescent and becoming a father. This transition has a tremendous impact on these adolescents, their families and society. The impact on these individuals and society does not, at this point, seem to be clearly understood. Purpose To explore the process of Thai adolescents becoming first-time fathers with an unplanned pregnancy during their girlfriend's pregnancy. Methods A grounded theory approach was used, drawing upon semi-structured interviews with 16 expectant fathers in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Findings 'Growing into teen fatherhood' was the basic social process that emerged as the core category. These fathers used this process for developing themselves to fatherhood. This process was further divided into three phases: enduring the conflict of future role, accepting impending fatherhood and developing a sense of being teen expectant father. Throughout this process, the participants encountered many conflicts and challenges. They employed various strategies to manage the emotional, financial and interpersonal challenges they faced during the transition to fatherhood. Conclusion This study provides data as well as anecdotal evidence for healthcare professionals to better understand adolescent fathers and their unique challenges during their girlfriend's pregnancy. A better understanding of these rich findings will enable healthcare professionals to assist young men and boys in their struggle to transition to fatherhood. Implications for nursing policy Our data may guide policymakers in developing support groups, effective mentoring programs and national follow-up services as standard services in hospitals' care for first-time adolescent fathers in Thailand.

Despite a large body of literature across multiple disciplines on adolescent motherhood, adolescent fathers have been largely absent from empirical research. Previous findings suggest that young men who experience multiple risk factors across a range of life domains have a high likelihood of becoming fathers at an early age, which can negatively impact their developmental trajectories and age-normative transitions (e.g. from school to work). However, little is known about the risk factors for fatherhood among high-risk juvenile offenders; nor is it well understood how fatherhood is related to criminal behavior in this population. The current study investigated risk factors and offending patterns associated with adolescent fatherhood status in a sample of serious juvenile offenders (N = 1170). Consistent with previous studies, fatherhood status was associated with greater risk exposure among serious juvenile offenders. Furthermore, change in fatherhood status was associated with higher levels of overall offending, aggressive offending, income-related offending, and non-drug-related income offending. In light of these findings, we propose that supports and resources are needed to facilitate juvenile offenders in their role as fathers during this time.

This study examined the association between perceived family economic stress, quality of father-son relationships, and depressive symptoms among African American adolescent fathers. Data were collected during pregnancy from 65 African American adolescents who were first-time fathers, ages 14-19. Results from multiple regression analyses indicated that higher paternal relationship satisfaction was associated with fewer depressive symptoms among adolescent fathers. Additionally, depressive symptoms were higher among adolescent fathers who reported experiencing higher levels of conflict with their fathers. Further, paternal conflict moderated the effect of perceived family economic stress on depressive symptoms. That is, among adolescent fathers experiencing low levels of conflict with their fathers, high perceived family economic stress was associated with more depressive symptoms. Study findings suggest that the risk for depressive symptoms is highest among adolescent fathers experiencing low family economic stress and highly conflictual relations with their fathers. These results highlight the complexities of paternal relationships and perceived economic stressors on depressive symptoms during pregnancy for African American adolescent fathers. The importance of expanding research on influential familial relationships and economic stressors on adolescent African American fathers is discussed.

Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, we explored the development of father identity among boys involved in the juvenile justice system. Youth were recruited from a juvenile detention center and school district in a northern California county with a high teen birth rate. The participants were expecting a child or parenting an infant and had been arrested, incarcerated, or had committed a crime. We collected data through observations and individual interviews. Using constant comparative and dimensional analysis, we found that expectant adolescent fathers hoped for a boy and envisioned their central role as father to be making their son a man. This article contributes to greater understanding of father identity development for youth involved in the justice system. We suggest that teen parenting policies and programs include interventions sensitized by gender, accounting for the influence masculine ideals of manhood have on the development of father identity and the father–child relationship.

This study sought to better understand the ways in which prenatal stress and support from their mother influences postpartum depressive symptoms among African American adolescent fathers. The study’s objectives were to (a) examine the relationship between prenatal stress and maternal support with postpartum depressive symptoms among African American adolescent fathers and (b) determine whether maternal support buffers the relationship between prenatal stress and postpartum depressive symptoms among adolescent fathers. A total of 59 first-time adolescent fathers participated in the study. Results revealed that more prenatal maternal support and lower prenatal stress were predictive of lower levels of postpartum depressive symptoms among fathers. Results did not support the buffering hypothesis for maternal support. This finding suggests that maternal support plays a positive role in the lives of adolescent fathers regardless of their prenatal stress levels. Study findings highlight the need to more broadly explore resources available to adolescent fathers. Future researchers must expand the discourse on adolescent parents to include the psychological risks and potential protective factors present in the lives of young African American fathers.

This study examined whether coparenting support and social support had a stronger effect on father engagement with 3-year-olds among adolescent fathers compared with adult fathers. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 1,540), we found that coparenting support and paternal social support had a significantly stronger positive effect on adolescent fathers than adult fathers. The associations among coparenting, social support, and adolescent father engagement did not depend on whether the father and mother were romantically involved with each other. The results support the idea that programs for adolescent parents should focus on coparenting and social support as a way to help fathers to stay involved with their children.

Aim: To explore the experiences of prospective adolescent fathers regarding their impending fatherhood.

An adapted version of Lamb’s model was used to examine types of paternal involvement (positive engagement, access to the child, and financial stability) engaged in by cohabiting and non-cohabiting low-income fathers across four age groups. The sample consisted of 2,512 low-income fathers who participated in the Fragile Families and Child Well-being study. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that age group of father and cohabitation status had a significant effect on all three dimensions of paternal involvement. Adolescent fathers had more limited access and were less engaged than fathers in other age groups, even though they were more financially stable. This study provides practitioners with a developmental perspective on paternal involvement that is useful in working with low-income fathers.

The parenthood literature has, until recently, paid scant attention to adolescent fathers. Negative stereotypes portray these young men as delinquents, unwilling to participate in the lives of their children. Recent research has challenged negative views by examining the impact of fatherhood on these young men and concluding that they are far from uninvolved and disinterested in their children. The current study extends this line of research by charting the ways young fathers talk about their responsibilities and hopes for their children's futures. Young fathers were interviewed and the data analysed discursively in order to further explore the meaning of fatherhood. The analysis focuses on the ways paternal responsibilities were constructed and the notion of intergenerational repair is introduced as one of the features of this talk. The implications for practitioners are discussed in the context of a more critical approach whereby taken-for-granted assumptions are questioned in this highly politicised area.

This study examined the association between fathers’ and mothers’ risk factors and paternal engagement 1 and 3 years postbirth. Distinguishing between new and persistent risk factors, we tested whether cumulative risk has unique effects on couples where one or both parents are adolescents at birth. Results indicated that although fathers’ and mothers’ risk factors affected levels of paternal engagement with 1-year-olds, these effects did not differ among couples with at least one adolescent and older couples. However, when the child was 3, fathers’ risk factors were stronger predictors of decreased engagement for couples with at least one adolescent partner, but mothers’ risk factors increased engagement only for adolescent fathers with older mothers. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to examine ethnic and marital status differences in family structure, risk behaviors and service requests among African American and Hispanic adolescent fathers participating in a community-based fatherhood program. Demographic factors, risk behaviors, and service requests were gathered at program entry. The results indicated that each group demonstrated distinct patterns associated with family structure, sexual risk behaviors, substance use, and criminal behavior. In comparison to African American fathers, Hispanic fathers were younger and were more likely to be married and present at the delivery of their child. African American fathers reported having more children than Hispanic fathers. Disparities in school-related measures were also found, with African American fathers having higher high school graduation rates than Hispanic fathers. The impact of marriage on risk behaviors had mixed results. Services requests were similar for both groups. The finding that different ethnic groups have specific patterns of risk behaviors highlights the importance of considering the ethnic composition of a population when developing future research and interventions.

Becoming an adolescent father truncates young males’ opportunities to complete high school and secure employment, which can hinder their capacity to contribute financial and social capital to their children. Based on 69 adolescent mother reports, results suggest that whereas employment status is associated with adolescent fathers’ physical and financial presence, high school completion is strongly associated with the nature and quality of parenting and co-parenting behaviors. Implications for school counselors, teachers, social workers, and future research are discussed.

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 to $28K ( M =$14,661). 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.

The current study utilized a social exchange perspective to examine relations among 74 adolescent mothers’ perceptions of barriers to father engagement, parenting alliance strength, and nonresident fathers’ engagement in caregiving and nurturing activities with their children. Even after accounting for mothers’ perceptions of barrier strength, mothers who viewed the parenting alliance as strong also perceived fathers as more engaged in caregiving activities. A more complex pattern emerged for mothers’ perceptions of father engagement in nurturing activities, such that relations between barrier strength and fathers’ nurturing depended on the parents’ relationship status and parenting alliance strength. Our findings suggest the importance of helping young parents strengthen their coparenting relationship in order to foster fathers’ engagement with their children.

The present study examined the relationship between concurrent measures of adolescent fathers' parenting stress, social support, and fathers' care-giving involvement with the 3-month-old infant, controlling for fathers' prenatal involvement. The study sample consisted of 50 teenage father–mother dyads. Findings from multivariate regression revealed that fathers' parenting stress was significantly and negatively related to fathers' care giving as perceived by both fathers and mothers. The relationship between support for father involvement provided by the young man's parents and father reported care-giving involvement approached significance. Social support from both teenagers' parents buffered the negative influence of parenting stress on fathers' involvement with the baby. Policy and intervention implications are discussed.

Race/ethnic differences in the prevalence of and characteristics associated with low support provided by fathers of babies born to pregnant adolescents were examined among 719 adolescent mothers who were interviewed postpartum. Low support was reported by 41.9% of African-American, 26.2% of Mexican-American, and 19.4% of Caucasian adolescent mothers. Across race/ethnic subgroups, fathers who provided limited support were characterized by chronic substance use, gang or police involvement, or partner-directed violence. Policies advocating universal father involvement without concomitant programs designed to address their many needs may ultimately be detrimental to the welfare of mother and child.

Adolescent fatherhood has received limited attention in research and clinical practice. This article describes the design and implementation of a parenting program for adolescent fathers, largely minority, involved in the juvenile justice system. In the teen fathers groups, adolescent fathers were exposed to therapeutic (e.g., family-of-origin) as well as psychoeducational (e.g., child development and parenting) interventions. Findings from a descriptive phenomenological study with six former group participants indicate that the program is an effective way of assisting teen fathers in increasing their commitment as fathers as well as their involvement with their children.

We identify explanatory risk variables associated with the co-occurrence of two problem behaviors: juvenile offending and adolescent fatherhood. Data were gathered from a 5-year prospective, longitudinal study of 531 incarcerated juvenile offenders as they transitioned from youth correction facilities back into the community. Of the total sample, 125 (28.3%) of the male participants reported fatherhood before their 20th birthday. Six risk variables were predictive of adolescent fatherhood in this sample: (a) gang member, (b) resided with non-biological parent as primary caretaker, (c) low SES, (d) child of parent with alcoholism, (e) low mother education, and (f) family member convicted of a felony. These variables were then placed in individual, family, and social domains. Cumulative probabilities identified family related variables as the primary domain contributing to the predictive multivariate model. These results provide support for the development of prevention and interventions strategies focused across multiple ecological contexts, focusing specifically on the family unit.

This article examines the community reintegration outcomes for adolescents with co-existing behaviors associated with juvenile offending and fatherhood. Data were gathered from the Transition Research on Adjudicated Youth in Community Settings (TRACS) research project, a 5-year prospective, longitudinal examination of outcomes for incarcerated juvenile offenders as they transitioned from youth correctional facilities back into the community. Of the TRACS sample, 125 (28.3%) of the participants reported that they had become fathers before their 20th birthday. Juvenile offenders who were fathers were found to return to the juvenile correctional system at a higher rate than nonfathers (59.4% to 47.5%) within 12 months of initially leaving that system. Fathers who remained in the community were (a) more than 3 times more likely to be employed within 6 months of exit and (b) more than 2.5 times more likely to use community resources over an 18-month period as compared with fathers who returned to custody. The results provide support for the development of interventions connecting these high-risk individuals with employment and community services immediately upon exit from the youth correctional system.

The publication of the DSM-5 poses a challenge for many interview instruments due to the changes for many of the diagnoses. Six of the more widely used and studied interview instruments (structured and semistructured) were reviewed with a focus on usefulness for the practicing clinician and researcher. Use of these types of assessment procedures can facilitate the accuracy of diagnoses given by potentially reducing clinician bias. Each interview instrument varied in its strengths and characteristics related to amount of flexibility associated with administration of items; breadth of coverage of diagnoses based on DSM-IV; time required for administration; presence of screening items or modular format; and psychometric support for its reliability and validity, as well as amount of training required for use, and costs associated with acquiring and learning the format. Recommendations were made regarding the utilization of different instruments for specific diagnostic questions along with future recommendations for enhancing the format and utility of these instruments, especially in relation to the publication of the DSM-5.

Teenage pregnancy is one of the socio-economic challenges which South Africa faces, with 35% of young women under the age of 20 falling pregnant or having had at least one child (Jewkes, Vundule, Maforah & Jordaan, 2001:733). Research has also highlighted that African youths lack access to sexual health information and services, and this makes them more vulnerable to engaging in risky sexual activity (Ashford, 2000; Bezuidenhout, 2004; Osei-Hwedi & Namutosi, 2004). In trying to address this challenge most of the focus has been on adolescent mothers, while the needs and experiences of adolescent fathers have been neglected. Adolescent fathers, like their female counterparts, also have to work through their developmental tasks while at the same time trying to adjust to their role of being a father. It is essential that the experiences and perceptions of adolescent fathers be understood as this knowledge can be utilised in the design of appropriate support programmes or measures for these fathers

This review presents data from studies that report on adolescent parents as part of larger neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parent populations, as well as studies where adolescent parents are given central consideration. A systematic search for English publications from 1990 onward relevant to adolescent parenting in the NICU was conducted. Most studies reporting on adolescent parents focus on parental stress or parenting practices in the NICU. A few studies examine parent-staff communication, parental needs, and parent intervention programs. One study presents a qualitative examination of teenage mothers' experiences in the NICU. Areas for further research include experiences of younger adolescent parents, adolescent fathers, and same-sex partners; issues unique to adolescent parents; and support programs for adolescent parents in the NICU.

This research used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) to examine the factors that contribute to later self-esteem and locus of control for adolescent mothers and adolescent fathers. The sample consisted of 421 adolescents (94 males and 327 females) who gave birth before or during 1979. Few differences were found between adolescent mothers' and adolescent fathers' scores. Findings indicated that adolescent fathers were adjusting slightly better than adolescent mothers, though both have low self-esteem. Mothers had significantly lower (more external) locus of control scores than fathers did in 1979. Predictors of adolescents' adjustment differed between the mothers and the fathers. For adolescent fathers, mothers' education was a significant predictor of self-esteem, while for adolescent mothers, subsequent pregnancies and adolescents' own education were significant predictors.

The current research investigated the personal experiences of young noncustodial fathers following separation and divorce. Using a focus group methodology, the researchers discovered and discussed young fathers' issues related to their children, their ex-partners and the judicial system. Results suggest that noncustodial fathers are difficult to engage, yet in need of help. In addition to recommending that counselors become more proactive in their work with noncustodial fathers, the authors discuss several implications for counselors working with young noncustodial fathers and give recommendations for further research.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe adolescent fatherhood from the perspectives of these young men's mothers. Design: A descriptive qualitative design was chosen because of the exploratory nature of this study. Methods: Data collection and analysis were guided by naturalistic inquiry that permits theory to emerge from the data. The data were collected during a 1-hour focus group interview performed at a public high school located proximal to a large public housing project in a large Midwestern city. Five mothers of adolescent fathers were recruited from a variety of sources using a modified snowball approach. Results: The seven major themes that emerged from the data were: barriers to fatherhood, value of fatherhood, transition to fatherhood, competencies of fatherhood, role-set relationships, social norms of fatherhood, and father-child contact. These women indicated that they felt their sons' youth influenced every aspect of the fatherhood experiences. Clinical implications: Nurses who work with adolescent parents are ideally situated to encourage the support of adolescent fathers and their families. Future research should identify methods useful for supporting or discouraging paternal involvement of adolescent fathers, and effective intervention strategies for adolescent fathers and their families.

This study tested the hypothesis that risk factors associated with the occurrence of adolescent fatherhood would predict the parental functioning of adolescent fathers and their partners as well as the quality of their co-parental relationship. Prior to the birth of their first child, we assessed the behavioral functioning of expectant adolescent fathers. Twelve to 18 months postbirth, the Quality of Relationships Inventory (Pierce, 1994) was used to assess relationships between teen fathers and their partners. The Parenting Stress Index (Abidin, 1990) and the Parenting Behavior Checklist (Fox, 1990) were used to assess parental functioning among teen fathers and their partners. Data were collected from two demographically distinct samples (Salt Lake City, Utah, and Chicago, Illinois) to assess the generalizability of hypothesized relations between risk factors and parental functioning. For both samples of young fathers, the occurrence of antisocial behavior problems during or prior to their partners' pre...

1. Dominic Hollman, MD 2. Elizabeth Alderman, MD 1. Children's Hospital at Montefiore Bronx, NY Adolescent Fathers: What We Know and What We Need to Know. Miller DB. Child Adolesc Social Work J.1997;14 :55– 69[OpenUrl][1][PubMed][2] Psychosocial Correlates of Intimacy Achievement Among Adolescent Fathers-to-be. Winstanley MR, Meyers SA, Florsheim P. J Youth Adolesc.2002;31 :91– 100[OpenUrl][3][CrossRef][4] Research Review: Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood: The Role of Fathers. Bunting L, McAuley C. Child Family Social Work.2004;9 :295– 303[OpenUrl][5][CrossRef][6] Young Dads: The Effects of a Parenting Program on Urban African-American Adolescent Fathers. Mazza C. Adolescence.2002;37 :681– 693[OpenUrl][7][PubMed][8][Web of Science][9] The challenges of teen pregnancy and motherhood long have been considered in depth, but attention to adolescent fathers has been far less conspicuous. The relative lack of attention given to adolescent fathers by health-care practitioners, social workers, government agencies, and researchers furthers the (sometimes incorrect) idea that the fathers often are absent. Although many adolescent mother-baby programs are available, few include provisions for adolescent fathers. In recent years, efforts have increased to acknowledge teen fathers in clinical practice and in the research forum, but much still needs to be addressed. Numerous studies have characterized adolescent fathers as being older than the mothers of their children. Several studies have found that fathers of the children of adolescent mothers are an average 2 to 3 years older than the mothers. However, in a large California study of adolescent mothers younger than age 15 years, the age difference was nearly 9 years. The actual number of adolescent fathers is difficult to ascertain because the age of the father is not always on the birth certificates of children born to adolescent mothers. Several factors are correlated with becoming a father during adolescence, particularly low income and poor academic achievement, which also are predictive of adolescent motherhood. Some … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DMedline%2BRows%2BWith%2BNULL%2Bissns%2BWill%2BPoint%2BTo%2BThis%26rft.stitle%253DDUMMY%26rft.aulast%253DFrengen%26rft.auinit1%253DE.%26rft.volume%253D14%26rft.issue%253D2%26rft.spage%253D55%26rft.epage%253D59%26rft.atitle%253DTransfer%2Bof%2Bsmall%2BYACs%2Bto%2BE.%2Bcoli%2Bas%2Blarge%2Bcircular%2Bplasmids.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F9349942%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=9349942&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fpedsinreview%2F29%2F10%2F364.atom [3]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJ%2BYouth%2BAdolesc.%26rft.volume%253D31%26rft.spage%253D91%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1023%252FA%253A1014093308760%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1023/A:1014093308760&link_type=DOI [5]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DChild%2BFamily%2BSocial%2BWork.%26rft.volume%253D9%26rft.spage%253D295%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1111%252Fj.1365-2206.2004.00335.x%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [6]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1111/j.1365-2206.2004.00335.x&link_type=DOI [7]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DAdolescence%26rft.stitle%253DAdolescence%26rft.aulast%253DMazza%26rft.auinit1%253DC.%26rft.volume%253D37%26rft.issue%253D148%26rft.spage%253D681%26rft.epage%253D693%26rft.atitle%253DYoung%2Bdads%253A%2Bthe%2Beffects%2Bof%2Ba%2Bparenting%2Bprogram%2Bon%2Burban%2BAfrican-American%2Badolescent%2Bfathers.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F12564822%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [8]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=12564822&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fpedsinreview%2F29%2F10%2F364.atom [9]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000180575600002&link_type=ISI

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of adolescent fathers in a suburban environment in Northern Virginia. Specifically, phenomenological methods were used to capture the essence of these nine adolescent fathers\' experiences surrounding their conceptualization and enactment of fatherhood. Participants included 5 Hispanic (56%), 2 African-American (22%), 1 Caucasian (11%), and 1 Asian (11%). They ranged in age from 16 to 19 years of age with an average age of 18. Their perspective adds to the current literature and assists counselors and policy makers in gaining a greater understanding of the needs and perceptions of this marginalized group. A transformative process best described the lived experience of these adolescent fathers. Fatherhood was described as a life-changing event, as they traversed a range of negative behaviors to become actively involved fathers. An eco- constructivist model provided an appropriate framework to better understand the subjective meanings the adolescent fathers attached to their lived experiences throughout the transformative process. While the results cannot be generalized, the narratives of these participants provide insight into this marginalized population. These participants define fatherhood in traditional terms (i.e., father as primary provider) and expressed enthusiasm about being actively involved in their children\'s daily lives. Further, the majority expressed a renewed focus on educational attainment to provide a better future for themselves and their children. Although participants received assistance from their families, support was lacking from the educational system. This lack of support provides an avenue for communities, schools, and counselors to become advocates for adolescent fathers. School counselors are encouraged to reach out to community agencies, clinical mental heath counselors, and community college counselors as avenues for more complete services for adolescent fathers. There is a need for further research relating to the needs of adolescent fathers. Longitudinal research with these participants is necessary to ascertain how they enacted their conceptualization of fatherhood and the barriers they encountered. Ph. D.

The author examines the educational and labor market outcomes of young men in the United States, with a particular emphasis on adolescent fathers. She finds that men who were teen fathers complete fewer years of education and are less likely to finish high school compared to men who were not teen fathers. These educational deficits persist even after family and personal characteristics are taken into account. Teen fathers enter the labor market earlier and initially earn more money than do other men; by the time teen fathers reach their mid-20s, however, they earn less. After controlling for personal traits and family background, the long-term earnings deficits of teen fathers disappear, implying that teen fathers are as capable of providing for their children as are other young men from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds. Unfortunately, this will not ease the jobs of child support enforcement officials, who must regularly confront young, low-income, absent fathers and/or improve the plight of welfare-dependent and other impoverished children. Data are from the National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Market Participation—Youth Cohort.

This study explroed the involvement of paternal grandmothers and their grandchildren in teenage parenting. The sample included 44 paternal grandmothers and information was obtained through teenage fathers. The findings suggest that paternal grandmothers are involve in the lives of their grandchildren. They provide some level of financial assistance. School attendance, living arrangements, and the teen fathers' involvement with their children effected paternal grandmothers' involvement.

The experience of adolescent fatherhood was explored through in-depth interviews. Ten African American teenage fathers from a midwestern city were asked to describe what being a father meant to them. The subjects discussed their perceptions of fatherhood and described some of the obstacles to meeting their paternal aspirations. Key themes included the subjects' desire to be actively involved with their children and the critical influence of the subjects' experiences with their own fathers. Strategies for working with adolescent fathers are also presented.

This study explores several factors related to the parental involvement of African-American adolescent fathers. These factors are identified through empirical literature as exerting influence upon adolescent fathers and their roles as fathers. An exploratory research design was utilized in order to obtain a better understanding of these fathers and how the identified factors affected parental involvement. Findings suggest that these adolescent fathers exhibit a level of parental involvement that is not generally perceived by the public. Additionally, the findings suggest that the identified factors interact to influence different dimensions of parental involvement.