Abstract

Purpose: The goal of this study was to understand factors that predict mothers’ decisions to participate as data informants in a randomized controlled trial of a fatherhood intervention for African-American non-resident fathers.

Method:Baseline data from 178 fathers and 125 mothers in the Dedicated African American Dad (DAAD) study were examined. Prior research and theoretical frameworks by Feinberg and Morawska informed father variable selection. Data were analyzed via bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results: Mothers were likely to participate as data informants when they had younger children, the father reported higher stress, less conflict with the mother, and the mothers’ female relatives were less supportive of the father.

Conclusion: Mothers’ decisions to participate as data informants in a fatherhood intervention are shaped by a complex array of social, interpersonal and family relationships that impact co-parenting. More research is needed to explore maternal characteristics and additional factors that could influence maternal predictors of participation. Future intervention research with African American non-resident fathers should seek to capitalize on the importance of the co-parenting relationship, by intervening prenatally, bolstering social support, and including extended family and kin networks.