A Mixed Methods Approach to Understand Mother-Father Relationship and Perceived Stress Among Black Pregnant Women

Black women in the United States report moderate to high levels of perceived stress during pregnancy. Though lower levels of involvement and support from father of the baby (FOB) and higher levels of conflict have been associated with higher levels of maternal perceived stress, it is not clear how Black pregnant women experience the mother-father relationship and its influence on perceived stress.

To examine and describe the mother-father relationship and its role in experiences of perceived stress from the perspective of Black pregnant women.

Using a convergent, mixed methods approach with ideal-type analysis, we conducted a secondary analysis of data among 60 Black pregnant women enrolled in the Biosocial Impact on Black Births study. Women completed online self-report questionnaires and participated in a semi-structured interview by telephone.

Participants who reported more conflict with FOB also reported higher levels of perceived stress (ρ(47) = .431, P= .002). Themes (importance, communication, support, conflict, satisfaction, and stress) emerged from the data. Five distinct mother-father relationship typologies were identified following an ideal-type analysis of the combined dataset: Cared For; Managing Expectations; Just Friends, For the Kids; It's Complicated; and Can't be Bothered.

These findings are an innovative exemplar of ideal-type analysis and provide a deeper understanding of the nuance and dynamics within the mother-father relationship and how it influences perceived stress among Black pregnant women.

Clinicians must recognize the significance of the mother-father relationship and, when appropriate, encourage paternal involvement or intervene if there is conflict during pregnancy.