Interactions Between Adolescent Fathers and Health Care Professionals During Pregnancy, Labor, and Early Postpartum

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.