Katharyn A. May

Three Phases of Father Involvement in Pregnancy

A field study focusing on mens experiences of first-time expectant fatherhood, including intensive interviews with 20 expectant couples, short field interviews with 80 additional fathers, participant observation in prenatal classes and clinics, and content analysis of popular literature was conducted for the purpose of description and generation of substantive theory. Interview and field data were analyzed using constant comparative analytic technique for qualitative data. Evidence suggest a characteristic pattern of development of subjective emotional involvement in pregnancy among first-time expectant fathers. This pattern consists of three phases: an announcement phase, a moratorium and a focusing phase. The length of the second phase appears to be related to the mans perception of his own readiness for pregnancy. The fathers speed of progression though these phases may affect later adjustment to fatherhood. Further testing and validation of these findings is indicated.

Effect of stress on family functioning during pregnancy.

A theoretical model hypothesized to predict family functioning was tested in four groups of expectant parents, followed by exploratory model building. The groups studied during the 24th to 34th weeks of pregnancy included 153 high-risk hospitalized women, 75 of their partners, 218 low-risk women from the general obstetric clinic, and 147 of their partners. Both partners in the high-risk situation reported greater discrepancy in family functioning than partners in the low-risk situation. The hypothesized models proved to have low explanatory power, accounting for 13% to 15% of the variance. The final empirical models developed explained 33% of the variance in family functioning among high-risk women and 48% among their partners, 23% among low-risk women, and 32% among their partners. The empirical models differed from the hypothesized models in that variables postulated to have only indirect effects were shown to have direct effects on family function and inter-generational variables significantly expanded the theoretical model.

Theoretical Models for Studying the Effect of Antepartum Stress on the Family

Three models are proposed to predict the effect of antepartum stress on the family. These models consider external and internal family environments and individual characteristics as they influence an individual family members health status, dyadic relationships within the family, and the familys functioning as a unit. Research to date validates the complex interrelationships between antepartum stress, social support, self-esteem, sense of mastery, anxiety, depression, and their effect on health status, dyadic relationships, and family functioning. The theoretical models presented identify relationships between these important variables that can guide much-needed research on the effects of antepartum stress on the childbearing family.

A Typology of Detachment/ Involvement Styles Adopted During Pregnancy By First-Time Expectant Fathers

This paper reports an exploratory study of the experience of first-time expectant fathers that generated a grounded theory that describes a typology of detachment/involvement styles adopted by first-time expectant fathers. This paper is in three parts. First is a brief summary of the existing literature on expectant fatherhood. Following that, the design and methodology of the study will be described. The typology of detachment/involvement styles will then be presented, and the factors that contribute to adoption of a given style discussed. Finally, some implications of this research for pregnancy and birth care will be suggested, and directions for future research outlined.

Pregnancy outcome for adolescents receiving prenatal care by nurse practitioners in extended roles.

The outcome of teenage pregnancy when managed in a specialized antenatal program resembles the patterns associated with young adults rather than the outcomes of teenagers in a general clinic. Based on a recent University of California study, this seems to result from three major factors: early prenatal care, nursing management in primary care, and special and consistent emphasis on adequate nutrition. Outcomes were significantly enhanced regarding infant weight and gestational age scoring, 1-and 5-minute Apgar scores, fewer intensive care admissions, and shorter hospital stays when compared to the general clinic experience.