about
Over the course of 5 years, 300 couples will lend critical insight into the interpersonal context in which decisions are made about sexual behavior, personal health and relationships during their transition to parenthood. PARTNRS will follow couples as they make this transition, collecting assessments at three time points: in the third trimester of pregnancy, and at 6- and 12 months postpartum.
Issue
- Adolescent pregnancy and parenthood is a time of heightened risky behavior and STDs.
- Heterosexual men are often a "forgotten" group within HIV/STD prevention and maternal child health research.
- Young couples transitioning to parenthood are at high risk for relationship problems, putting additional strains on young fathers, mothers, and their children.
Research Scope
- HIV/STD risk behavior and relationship quality of young expectant fathers and their adolescent partners during their transition from pregnancy to parenthood
- Specific focus on sexual risk behavior, relationship quality and personal health among young expectant fathers
Charge
- Provide a better understanding of the context of sexual risk and relationship functioning of young expectant couples
- Conduct research that will inform future prevention programs that help young couples traverse the road to parenthood
Participating Clinics
- Yale New Haven Hospital
- Hospital of Saint Raphael
- Bridgeport Hospital
- Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London
Support
PARTNRS is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (Grant # 1R01MH75685-01A2)
