Randomized Study of a Prebirth Coparenting Intervention With Adolescent and Young Fathers*

Abstract

This randomized study tested the effects of 2 prebirth interventions, Minnesota Early Learning Design coparenting and childbirth curricula, on young African American and Hispanic fathers and their adolescent partners (N ¼ 154). The coparenting intervention (n ¼ 44) was associated with changing fathers' perceptions of their coparenting behavior rather than mothers' perceptions of the fathers' behavior compared with the childbirth program (n ¼ 46). Fathers and mothers consistently reported fathers' improved coparenting behavior when the coparenting intervention was compared with a no-intervention control group (n ¼ 64). Fathers (regardless of residence) and mothers residing with the father reported higher levels of fathers' engagement with the infant when the father participated in the coparenting intervention compared with fathers who participated in the childbirth intervention.

No Degree, No Job: Adolescent Mothers’ Perceptions of the Impact that Adolescent Fathers’ Human Capital has on Paternal Financial and Social Capital

“…These positive interactions may be fostered by a shared social setting (e.g., same supportive peers or classes together) as well as school-based programs that encourage these relationships. Because of the importance of a strong parenting alliance in fostering a positive father-child relationship (Futris and Schoppe-Sullivan 2007), fathers who drop-out of school (as well as those in school) would benefit from pre-birth interventions that focus on building a positive coparenting relationship (Fagan 2008).…”

The complicated worlds of adolescent fathers: Implications for clinical practice, public policy, and research.

“…There is also evidence that interventions for young fathers, particularly those focused on strengthening the coparenting rela tionship, can enhance their adjustment to parenthood and have positive effects on their relationships with their partners and chil dren (Fagan, 2008). Furthermore, "integrating coparenting support into prenatal care for pregnant adolescents could help young fathers provide a more stable and secure environment for their children" (Florsheim et al, 2012(Florsheim et al, , p. 1891).…”

Study protocol for a randomized clinical trial of a fatherhood intervention for African American non-resident fathers: Can we improve father and child outcomes?

“…Previous research, that engaged both parents in an intervention to improve parenting skills, with similar design and aims 57 suggests that an intervention that is similar to BBTF can produce an improvement in father engagement of d = .42. 58 Assuming an effect size of d = .42, a one-tailed alpha of .05, and a sample size of 144 participants (72 per group), we estimated power of .80 to test the direct effects for this design.…”