Hispanic Young Males' Mental Health From Adolescence Through the Transition to Fatherhood

Fatherhood and Cardiovascular Health, Disease, and Mortality: Associations From the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Introduction

Emerging literature links fatherhood to men's health but lacks comprehensive assessment of health outcomes, especially among multiethnic populations. This study's objective was to evaluate the associations of fatherhood (age at onset and status) with cardiovascular health scores, incident cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular disease death, and all-cause mortality, examining differences by race/ethnicity.

Methods

The study sample included men from Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, prospective cohort study that enrolled adults aged 45-84 years without known cardiovascular disease at baseline. Cardiovascular health was defined using the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 scores (0-100), excluding sleep (cardiovascular health score).

Results

In this sample of 2,814 men, mean age at cardiovascular health assessment was 62.2 years, 82% were fathers, 24% self-identified as Black, 13% self-identified Chinese, 22% self-identified Hispanic, and 41% self-identified White. Fathers who were aged <20 years and 20-24 years at their oldest child's birth had worse overall cardiovascular health than fathers who were aged >35 years (adjusted mean score of 61.1 vs 64.7 [p=0.01] and 61.0 vs 64.7 [p<0.001], respectively). Fathers had worse overall cardiovascular health (adjusted mean score of 63.2 vs 64.7, p=0.03) and more nicotine exposure (63.1 vs 66.6, p=0.04) than nonfathers. In age-adjusted models, fathers overall (hazard ratio=0.82; 95% CI=0.69, 0.98) and Black fathers (hazard ratio=0.73; 95% CI=0.53, 0.999) had a lower rate of all-cause mortality rate than nonfathers, but these associations were no longer significant in fully adjusted models.

Conclusions

Fatherhood is a social determinant of health, and understanding its influence may provide opportunities to improve men's health, particularly among men of color.

Adolescent Fathers' Perceptions and Experiences of Fatherhood: A Qualitative Exploration with Hispanic Adolescent Fathers

PURPOSE

The purpose of this secondary analysis of qualitative data was to understand the multifactorial influences that impact the health and health behaviors of Hispanic adolescent fathers DESIGN & METHODS: Qualitative description was the method used for this secondary analysis. The theoretical domains of the Vulnerable Populations Conceptual Framework were used to guide this study. The semi-structured interviews of 17 participants were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Participants were Hispanic adolescent fathers, between the ages of 16 and 23 years, who were attending a fatherhood program.

RESULTS

Most participants came from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and unstable families. Additionally, their exposure to widespread neighborhood and domestic violence resulted in gang involvement and illegal activities. The cumulative impact of adverse childhood events resulted in substance use and psychological distress. However, becoming a father was transformative, motivating adolescents to stop engaging in destructive, unhealthy behaviors.

CONCLUSION

Adolescent fathers' well-being is an important component of perinatal health because it affects family functioning and health outcomes in their children. The perinatal period presents a "golden" opportunity to promote health and should be leveraged by nurses to allow adolescent fathers to become involved during the perinatal period.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

A family-centered approach is critical in addressing the complex needs of this population. An assessment of their psychosocial environment, including childhood trauma, is necessary to help nurses identify at-risk fathers. Additionally, trauma informed care is a valuable tool that nurses can utilize to foster trust in Hispanic adolescent fathers.

Young Hispanic fathers during COVID-19: Balancing parenthood, finding strength, and maintaining hope

OBJECTIVES

This study examined how the effects of the COVID-19 crisis has impacted young Hispanic fathers.

DESIGN/SAMPLE

Using qualitative description, in-depth interviews were conducted among Hispanic fathers between the ages of 18 and 24 years, from community-based fatherhood program. The interviews of seven young Hispanic fathers were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The participants' initial and ongoing fears about COVID-19 resulted from not having adequate information about the severity of the disease and how easily one can contract and transmit it to others. They also expressed concerns about the threat of the pandemic on their family's well-being, finances, and employment status. Providing for their families was their main priority, with some continuing to work, despite the risks of becoming infected with COVID-19. Despite their many hardships, fathers found strength in their families and remained hopeful in overcoming the challenges during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

The pandemic has presented difficulties and loss for many. Nurses in the community are well positioned to serve young Hispanic fathers to ensure their needs are met. A family-centered approach is ideal for young fathers to provide them equal opportunity to be actively involved in promoting health for themselves and their families during the pandemic.