Randomized study of a prebirth coparenting intervention with adolescent and young fathers

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 = 154). The coparenting intervention (n = 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 = 46). Fathers and mothers consistently reported fathers' improved coparenting behavior when the coparenting intervention was compared with a no-intervention control group (n = 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.