The Impact of a Father's Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on the Relationship He Has with the Mother of His Baby

Abstract

The relationship between the father and mother during pregnancy has been linked to pregnancy outcomes. However, factors that influence this relationship have not been studied in depth. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) of the father have been associated with poor health and functioning in adulthood, and may be important factors that impact the prenatal relationship between the parents. We recruited 117 fathers from a study that examined the risk of preterm birth in pregnant Black women. Of the fathers recruited, 113 completed questionnaires and provided survey data to determine behavioral, health, psychosocial, social, and sociodemographic characteristics. The mean ACEs score represents 107 fathers with 6 missing. The fathers' ACEs scores were measured using a 10-item self-report survey assessing whether each of the presented ACEs were experienced by the participant prior to the age of 18 years. Perceived conflict in the relationship between the father of the baby and mother of the baby was measured using a 5-item questionnaire scored on the 5-point Likert scale. For the Likert scale, 112 fathers provided data with 1 missing. A t-test was then used to compare the average score on the conflict scale with the mean ACEs of 67 fathers with 2 or fewer ACEs, and 40 fathers with 3 or more ACEs (6 missing). This study hypothesized that fathers with higher rates of exposure to ACEs would have higher scores on the conflict scale, indicating more conflict with the mother. The average score on the conflict scale was significantly higher (difference in means, 2.20 points, p=0.023) for fathers with an ACEs of 3 or more (mean± standard deviation: 12.2±4.6) relative to those with an ACEs of 2 or lower. (mean± standard deviation:14.4±5.0).

Keywords: conflict; father of baby (FOB); mother of baby (MOB); pregnancy; prenatal period; support.