Difficulties in reaching low‐income new fathers: Issues and cases

Abstract

Of a group of 67 low-income first-time fathers-to-be, half were randomly assigned during the second trimester of pregnancy to participate in an interven-tion program designed to acquaint fathers with information, insights, and clinically appropriate techniques in responsive care for infants. Fathers were videotaped in feeding interactions with the infant at hospital discharge and at one month of age. During two one and a half hour training sessions, the program attempted to sensitize fathers to fetal and early infant characteristics, behaviors, and the need for early and responsive attunement to infant state, signals of distress and ways to modulate distress. Soothing techniques were modeled with a doll. Intrauterine bonding was encouraged through specific skin contact with the pregnant partner. Difficulties in recruitment of fathers were caused by lack of commitment of father to partner or infant, by suspicion of a project about babies by father drug and alcohol abuse, illiteracy, and personality problems. At maternity clinics, pregnant women were enlisted to encourage their partners to participate. Transportation to the clinic and oral presentation of questions helped ensure father participation. Early identification of fathers, skill and persistence of the intervenor, and continuity of caring are identified as prognosticators of success in reaching low-income fathers-to-be.

Notes

¹ Paper presented at the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Orthopsychiatric Association, March, 1988, San Francisco, CA.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alice S. Honig ¹

1 Paper presented at the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Orthopsychiatric Association, March, 1988, San Francisco, CA.