PACT In-depth, In-Person Interview Guide (for Program Participants)
OMB Control Number 0970-0403
Expiration Date: XX-XX-XXXX
Parents and Children Together
(PACT) Evaluation
INSTRUMENT (14)
IN-PERSON, IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW GUIDE
(FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS)
PACT QUALITATIVE STUDY TOPIC GUIDE: WAVE 1
Thank you so much for meeting with me today. My name is __________ and I am with Mathematica. We are assisting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on a national study called Parents and Children Together or PACT. As part of this study, we are talking to men who are fathers and have been involved with programs for fathers like [PROGRAM NAME]. The purpose of this study is to learn more about the experiences and needs of people that might benefit from these programs and about the impact of these programs.
Your participation in this study is voluntary. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number (shown above). The time required to complete this discussion is estimated to be about two hours. Any questions or concerns about this data collection should be sent to [CONTACT NAME] at XXX-XXX-XXXX, regarding OMB-PRA 0970-0403.
During our conversation, anything you say will be private and we won’t use your name or any other identifying information when we report the results of our study. You may also choose to not answer any question you do not want to answer. I would like to record our conversation so I don’t miss anything. No one will hear the tape except for researchers and the person who types it up. [INTERVIEWER: TURN THE TAPE RECORDER ON] Is it okay with you if I tape this conversation? If you want me to turn the tape off for any reason or at any time, just say so.
A. Family of Origin
1. Respondent’s relationship with his father
Presence and role of father during respondent’s childhood; major changes over time
Nature and quality of relationship during childhood; major changes over time
Nature and quality of relationship at present
Influence of father on shaping respondents views on fatherhood and relationships
2. Respondent’s relationship with his mother
Presence and role of mother during respondent’s childhood; major changes over time
Nature and quality of relationship during childhood; major changes over time
Nature and quality of relationship at present
Influence of mother on shaping respondent’s views on fatherhood and relationships
3. Other important father figures during childhood, if any
4. Respondent’s mother-father relationship during his childhood
Relationship and residential status; major changes, if any
Relationship quality (e.g., low/high conflict)
5. Socio-economic conditions of household when growing up
6. Geographic location(s) of residence during childhood
B. Views on Fatherhood, Parenting, and Relationships
1. Respondent’s perceptions and definition of
Manhood/masculinity
Father’s role and attributes of a good father
Mother’s role and attributes of a good mother
Healthy and unhealthy relationships
Ideal family
C. Becoming a Father
1. Length of courtship and seriousness of relationship with mother(s) of child(ren)
2. Nature of the relationship with mother(s) during pregnancy and after the birth of the child
3. Residential status of mother and father during pregnancy or shortly after the birth of the child
4. Conception of child planned or accidental, welcomed or unwelcomed
5. Present for birth, visited child in hospital
6. Experience and feelings when first introduced to child
7. Impact and influence of fatherhood on attitudes and behavior of respondent
Values and priorities
Short- and long-term goals and aspirations
Self-image
Nature and dynamics of his relationships
Risk-taking behaviors
How and with whom he spends time
Future orientation
D. Responsible Fatherhood (RF) Program Experiences
1. How learned about the RF program
2. Motivations for enrolling
3. Hopes and expectations for participation in RF program
4. Specific RF program services received or activities participated in (both core and support services)
5. Benefits of participation
6. Participation challenges encountered
7. Circumstances and/or strategies that facilitated participation
8. Experiences with program referrals and linkages to additional organizations/ services
9. Interactions with and satisfaction with program staff
10. Reasons for not participating in certain program components or activities
11. Reasons for dropping out of the program (if applicable)
12. RF program shortcomings and ways the program could be improved
13. Assessment of whether and how the RF program experience led to changes in views, knowledge, attitudes, skills and/or behavior, especially as they relate to:
Manhood, fatherhood, parenting, and relationships
Fathering and co-parenting
Interactions and relationship with child(ren)’s mother
Nature and quality of involvement with respondent’s child(ren)
Employment (e.g. job search, workplace behavior, long term plans/career plans)
Interactions with current partner
Child support
Availability and/or access to additional resources and services
Composition of and interactions with members of respondent’s social network
Personal challenges and transitions (e.g., physical disability, mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration)
E. Employment
1. Current employment status (both formal and informal employment)
2. Type of job, tenure to date with employer; views and expectations on how long they expect to keep this job
3. Current or most recent job search experience (for example, activities, process, challenges)—how found current job, whether and how RF program helped in finding job, other sources of help
4. How got this job: whether and how RF program helped in finding or maintaining a job; other sources of help
5. Employment history-–unemployment and employment (including participation in informal economy)
6. Satisfaction with current job, major positive aspects and negative aspects
7. Family/work balance—considerations, strategies employed, and trade-offs
8. Impact of past employment history and current employment status on respondent’s involvement with his child(ren), relationship with the mother(s) of his child(ren)/current partner, and other aspects of day-to-day life
9. <If has more than one job>: Strategies used to manage more than one job
10. Aspirations, goals, and plans related to future employment/career
F. Child Support
1. Past and current experiences with child support system
Process by which paternity established for each child
2. Current child support arrangements/obligations for each child (formal and informal)
<If informal>: Types and frequency of support provided
Views about and satisfaction with current arrangement(s)
Current status of arrearages, if any; circumstances leading to arrearages
Child support payment process (e.g., automatic wage-withholding, paid directly by father)
3. Any significant changes in child support arrangements/obligations for each child
When and why changes occurred
4. Understanding of and experiences (if any) with downward modifications of child support orders
5. Interactions with and treatment by child support staff, others involved in child support process (e.g., judges, court staff)
6. Knowledge of fathers’ rights and responsibilities relating to child support; perceptions regarding fairness of system
7. Whether and how RF program increased respondent’s knowledge and views about the child support system and/or helped him navigate the system
G. Personal Characteristics, Strengths and Challenges, Goals and Aspirations
1. Self-identified personality characteristics (for example, responsible, shy, hot-tempered); self-assessment of personal strengths and limitations
2. Hobbies, talents
3. Areas of personal development/self-growth over past year
4. Factors contributing to personal development, including any pivotal events or circumstances
5. Respondent views on how the character traits he possesses affect his:
Fatherhood and parenting
Relationships
Employment experiences
RF program experiences
Overall life experiences
6. Challenges faced by respondent (for example, physical or mental health issues, substance abuse, housing instability, unstable employment/lack of income, past incarceration/criminal record)
7. Goals and aspirations for the future
Six months from now, a year from now, five years from now
Expectations and outlook regarding possibility of achieving goals and aspirations
Specific steps and actions planned to achieve goals
H. Family Network Tree
1. Age of each child (include biological, step-children social)
2. Gender of each child
3. <If not married to mother>: Legal paternity of child established? Same last name as father?
4. Current status of relationship with the mother(s) of each child (e.g., married, cohabiting)
5. Current romantic partner (if any) with someone other than child’s mother
6. Other members identified by respondent as part of his family network
7. Living arrangements of each member of family network in relation to one another
I. Father Involvement (with each child)
1. Amount and frequency of contact
2. Nature and type(s) of engagement and interaction
3. Where in-person contact typically occurs; other modes of communication (e.g., texting, social media)
4. Quality of father-child relationship
5. Satisfaction with father-child relationship
Most rewarding aspects
Least rewarding aspects
6. Respondent perceptions of how child views him and feels about their relationship
When and why any changes occurred
7. Hopes and expectations regarding future relationship with child
8. Type(s) of parenting challenge(s) encountered
Source and cause of challenge
Whether and how respondent has sought to address challenges
9. Impediments to father involvement (type and level)
J. Father’s Relationship with Mother(s) of Child(ren)/Current Partner
1. Relationship status with mother(s) of each child (e.g., married, divorced, cohabitating, episodic, little to no contact)
Changes in relationship status with mother(s) over time
Circumstances leading to any major changes in status
2. Quality of father-mother relationship (e.g., communication, trust, closeness)
3. Satisfaction with father-mother relationship
Positive and negative aspects of the relationship
4. Respondent perceptions of how child views him and feels about their relationship
Whether, when and why changes occurred
5. (Co) Parenting strategies and challenges
Typical arrangements and interactions between respondent and child’s mother related to parenting, examples of successes and difficulties
Whether and how mother supports and/or hinders father involvement
Sources of tension or conflict, especially as it relates to or affects father’s involvement with child
Whether and how father and/or mother have tried to resolve challenges; any resulting effects
How multiple partner fertility and family structure affect father involvement (with each child)
6. Current partner (if current relationship is someone other than a mother of his child/ren)
Relationship duration and status
Partner’s role and involvement (if any) with his children
Father’s role and involvement (if any) with her children
Expectations and plans about current relationship going forward
7. Managing complex family structures and dynamics
Challenges navigating relationships with multiple current/former partners
Strategies used to address these challenges
K. Father’s Social Network
1. Network size and composition—extended kin, mentors, friends
2. Supports provided by members in respondent’s social network
Types of support provided (e.g., emotional, instrumental—financial and nonfinancial)
Strength and importance of social network; value and benefit of receiving these supports
Areas of conflict or tensions between respondent and member(s) of his social network
3. Reciprocal supports provided by respondent to members in his social network
4. Norms and values concerning fatherhood and parenting, marriage/relationships
5. Whether and how becoming/being a father changed the composition or nature of relationships with and supports provided by members in respondent’s network
L. Significant Changes and Transitions: One-Year Retrospective Event History
1. Living arrangements
Changes in where and with whom respondent lived during past year
When changes occurred
Why changes occurred
How changes affected day-to-day life
How affected involvement/interaction with children
2. Employment
Changes in employment (employer, wages, hours worked, type of work)
When changes occurred
Why changes occurred
How changes affected day-to-day life
3. Relationships
Changes in relationship status with partner (e.g., married, engaged, separated/broke-up, new partner)
When changes occurred
Why changes occurred
How changes affected day-to-day life
4. Challenging circumstances and transitions
Major challenges and transitions (e.g., death of family member, re-entry from incarceration, military service) encountered over past year
Changes in incidence, type, or severity of challenge
When changes occurred
Why changes occurred
How changes affected day-to-day life
5. Father involvement with child(ren)
Changes in the amount of time spends with child
Changes in the nature of father’s involvement with child
When changes occurred
Why changes occurred
7. Father involvement with mother(s) of child(ren)
Changes in the nature and dynamics of relationship
Changes in co-parenting arrangements and strategies
When changes occurred
Why changes occurred
8. RF program participation
Changes in types of activities/services participated in
Changes in frequency of participation in activities/services
When changes occurred
Why changes occurred
PACT QUALITATIVE STUDY TOPIC GUIDE: WAVE 2
Thank you so much for meeting with me today. My name is __________ and I am with Mathematica. We are assisting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on a national study called Parents and Children Together or PACT. As part of this study, we are talking to men who are fathers and have been involved with programs for fathers like [PROGRAM NAME]. The purpose of this study is to learn more about the experiences and needs of people that might benefit from these programs and about the impact of these programs.
Your participation in this study is voluntary. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number, shown above. The time required to complete this discussion is estimated to be about two hours. Any questions or concerns about this data collection should be sent to Nancye Campbell or Seth Chamberlain at the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, 370 L’Enfant Promenade, SW, Washington, DC 20447.
During our conversation, anything you say will be private and we won’t use your name or any other identifying information when we report the results of our study. You may also choose to not answer any question you do not want to answer. I would like to record our conversation so I don’t miss anything. No one will hear the tape except for researchers and the person who types it up. [INTERVIEWER: TURN THE TAPE RECORDER ON] Is it okay with you if I tape this conversation? If you want me to turn the tape off for any reason or at any time, just say so.
A. Family Network Tree and Living Arrangements
1. Current composition of respondent’s family network; changes since Wave 1 interview (e.g., new child(ren), new romantic partner)
2. Current living arrangements of respondent and members within his family network
Changes in residence and with whom respondent lives since Wave 1 interview
Changes in residence and with whom his child(ren) lives since Wave 1 interview
When and why changes occurred
B. Social Network
1. Current size and composition of respondent’s social network; changes since Wave 1 interview
Effect of changes, especially related to father’s involvement with child(ren), relationships, and employment
2. Role of social network members in respondent’s life; changes since Wave 1 interview
Types of supports provided (e.g., emotional, instrumental—financial, non-financial)
Who provides supports and their relation to the respondent
Strength and importance of social network; value and benefit of supports received
Areas of conflict or tensions
Norms and values within social network regarding fatherhood and parenting, marriage/relationships, work
How fatherhood has affected his relationships with members within network
3. Reciprocal supports provided by respondent to members within his social network
C. Connections and Experiences with Organizations/Systems
1. Key organizations and systems (both formal and informal) in which respondent is currently involved (for example, a community-based organization, a church or mosque, a self-help group, social service organizations, educational agencies, courts/criminal justice; health services/public clinics)
Nature of involvement (why involved, how involved, voluntary/mandatory, length of involvement; services received)
Positive or negative perceptions of and experiences with these organizations/systems
Influence of these organization/system on respondent, especially relating to father’s involvement with child(ren), romantic and co-parenting relationships, and employment
Assistance provided by RF program in identifying and facilitating connections to organizations/systems
2. Key organizations and systems (both formal and informal) in which respondent has been involved in the past
Nature of involvement (why involved, how involved, voluntary/mandatory, length of involvement; services received)
Positive or negative perceptions of and experiences with these organizations/systems
Influence of these organization/system on respondent, especially relating to father’s involvement with child(ren), romantic and co-parenting relationships, and employment
3. Resources or services needed or desired by respondent, but not available or difficult to access
4. Current child support experiences; changes since Wave 1 interview, when and why changes occurred
Child support arrangements/obligations for each child (formal and informal)
Views about and satisfaction with current arrangement(s)
Status of arrearages
Child support payment process (e.g., automatic wage-withholding, paid directly by father)
Understanding of and experiences (if any) with downward modifications of child support orders
Knowledge of fathers’ rights and responsibilities relating to child support;
Perceptions regarding fairness of system
Interactions with and treatment by child support staff, others involved in child support process (e.g., judges, court staff) since Wave 1 interview
D. Neighborhood and Community
1. Description of key characteristics of respondent’s neighborhood (e.g., urban/suburban, economically distressed, tight-knit, safety conditions)
2. Availability, accessibility and use of resources for children and families (e.g., recreation centers, libraries, parks and playgrounds)
3. Presence of fathers actively engaged in parenting
4. Common types of activities fathers in neighborhood engage in with their children
5. Strategies used to protect child(ren) against danger or risks in the neighborhood and the community at large
E. Becoming a Father (if had another child since Wave 1 interview)
1. Length of courtship and seriousness of relationship with mother(s) of child(ren)
2. Nature of the relationship with mother(s) during pregnancy and after the birth of the child
3. Residential status of mother and father during pregnancy or shortly after the birth of the child
4. Conception planned or accidental, welcomed or unwelcomed
5. Present for birth, visited child in hospital
6. Experience and feelings when first introduced to child; differences between experiences and feelings regarding this child and previous children
7. <If not married to mother of new child>: Whether legal paternity established, same last name as father; process by which paternity established
8. Impact and influence of becoming a father on attitudes and behavior of respondent
Values and priorities
Short- and long-term goals and aspirations; future orientation
Self-image
Nature and dynamics of his relationships
Risk-taking behaviors
How and with whom respondent spends time
F. Responsible Fatherhood (RF) Program Experiences <since Wave 1 interview>
1. Nature and frequency of contact or involvement with RF program after formally leaving the program; any specific RF program services received or activities participated in
2. Reflections on whether and how the RF program experience led to changes in views, knowledge, attitudes, skills and/or behavior, especially as they relate to:
Manhood, fatherhood, parenting, and relationships
Fathering and co-parenting
Interactions and relationship with child(ren)’s mother
Nature and quality of involvement with respondent’s child(ren)
Employment (e.g. job search, workplace behavior, long term plans/career plans)
Interactions with current partner
Child support
Availability and/or access to additional resources and services
Composition of and interactions with members of respondent’s social network
Personal challenges and transitions (e.g., physical disability, mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration)
G. Employment Experiences
1. Current employment status (including participation in informal economy)
2. Type of job, length of time in job, views and expectations on how long will keep this job?
3. Satisfaction with current job, major positive aspects and negative aspects
4. <Since Wave 1 interview>: Participation in any education or training, or other activities to improve employability/advance in labor market
5. <Since Wave 1 interview>: Changes in employment (employer, wages, hours worked, type of work)
When and why changes occurred
How change in employment affected father’s involvement with his child(ren), relationship with the mother(s) of his child(ren)/current partner, other aspects of day-to-day life
6. Current or most recent job search experience (for example, activities, process, challenges)
7. Whether and how RF program helped in finding or maintaining a job
8. Family/work balance—considerations, strategies employed, and trade-offs
9. Impact of past employment history and current employment/unemployment on father’s involvement with child(ren), relationships with the mother(s) of his child(ren)/current partner
10. <If has more than one job (informal or formal)>: Strategies used to manage more than one job
11. Aspirations, goals, and plans related to future employment/career
H. Personal Characteristics, Strengths and Challenges, Goals and Aspirations
1. Self-identified personality characteristics (for example, responsible, shy, hot-tempered); self-assessment of personal strengths and limitations
2. Hobbies, talents
3. Areas of personal development/self-growth <since Wave 1 interview>
Factors contributing to personal development, including any pivotal events or circumstances
Effect on fatherhood and parenting, relationships, employment, and (if still enrolled) RF program participation
4. Respondent views on how the character traits he possesses affect his:
Fatherhood and parenting
Relationships
Employment experiences
RF program experiences
Overall life experiences
5. Personal challenges <since Wave 1 interview>
Changes in type and severity of challenges experienced (e.g., physical or mental health issues, substance abuse, housing instability, unstable employment/lack of income, incarceration)
When and why changes occurred
6. Goals and aspirations for the future
Six months from now, a year from now, five years from now
Expectations and outlook regarding possibility of achieving goals and aspirations
Specific steps and actions planned for fulfilling goals and aspirations
I. Father Involvement (with each child)
1. Current amount of time spent with child, pattern and frequency of contact; changes since Wave 1 interview
When and why changes occurred
2. Nature and type(s) of involvement; changes since Wave 1 interview
When and why changes occurred
3. Where in-person contact typically occurs, other modes of communication (e.g., texting, social media); changes since Wave 1 interview
When and why changes occurred
4. Quality of father-child relationship; changes since Wave 1 interview
When and why changes occurred
5. Satisfaction with father-child relationship; changes since Wave 1 interview
Most and least rewarding aspects
6. Respondent perceptions of how child views him and feels about their relationship; changes since Wave 1 interview
When and why changes occurred
7. Hopes and expectations regarding future relationship with child
8. Type(s) of parenting challenge(s) encountered; changes since Wave 1 interview
Whether and how respondent has sought to address challenges
9. Impediments to father involvement; changes since Wave 1 interview
Whether and how respondent has sought to address challenges
J. Father’s Relationship with Mother(s) of Child(ren)/Current Partner
1. <Since Wave 1 Interview>: Relationship status with mother(s) of each child (e.g., married, divorced, cohabitating, episodic, little to no contact)
Changes in relationship status since Wave 1 interview
When and why changes occurred
2. <Since Wave 1 Interview>: Nature and quality of father-mother relationship (e.g., communication, trust, closeness)
Changes in nature or quality of relationship
Changes in coparenting arrangements and interactions between respondent and child’s mother related to parenting, examples of successes and difficulties
Changes in (co) parenting strategies
Changes in how mother supports and/or hinders father involvement
Changes in how father and/or mother seek to resolve sources of tension; the results of these efforts
Changes in issues and strategies associated with managing relationships with former/current partner(s)
When and why changes occurred
3. Current partner (if current relationship is someone other than a mother of his child/ren)
Relationship duration and status, changes since
Partner’s role and involvement (if any) with his children
Father’s role and involvement (if any) with her children
Expectations and plans about current relationship going forward
4. Managing complex family structures and dynamics
Challenges navigating relationships with multiple current/former partners and strategies
Strategies used to address challenges
K. Evolving Views on Fatherhood, Parenting, and Relationships
1. Respondent definition of and views on:
Manhood/masculinity
Father’s role and attributes of a good father
Mother’s role and attributes of a good mother
Healthy (and unhealthy) relationships
Ideal family
2. Factors contributing to any changes in respondents definition or views on these topics
PACT QUALITATIVE STUDY TOPIC GUIDE: WAVE 3
Thank you so much for meeting with me today. My name is __________ and I am with Mathematica. We are assisting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on a national study called Parents and Children Together or PACT. As part of this study, we are talking to men who are fathers and have been involved with programs for fathers like [PROGRAM NAME]. The purpose of this study is to learn more about the experiences and needs of people that might benefit from these programs and about the impact of these programs.
Your participation in this study is voluntary. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number, shown above. The time required to complete this discussion is estimated to be about two hours. Any questions or concerns about this data collection should be sent to Nancye Campbell or Seth Chamberlain at the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, 370 L’Enfant Promenade, SW, Washington, DC 20447.
During our conversation, anything you say will be private and we won’t use your name or any other identifying information when we report the results of our study. You may also choose to not answer any question you do not want to answer. I would like to record our conversation so I don’t miss anything. No one will hear the tape except for researchers and the person who types it up. [INTERVIEWER: TURN THE TAPE RECORDER ON] Is it okay with you if I tape this conversation? If you want me to turn the tape off for any reason or at any time, just say so.
A. Family Network Tree and Living Arrangements
1. Current composition of respondent’s family network; changes since Wave 2 interview (e.g., new child(ren), new romantic partner)
2. Current living arrangements of respondent and members within his family network
Changes in residence and with whom respondent lives since Wave 2 interview
Changes in residence and with whom his child(ren) lives since Wave 2 interview
When and why changes occurred
B. Social Network
1. Current size and composition of respondent’s social network; changes since Wave 2 interview
- Effect of changes, especially related to father’s involvement with child(ren), relationships, and employment
2. Role of social network members in respondent’s life; changes since Wave 2 interview
Types of supports provided (e.g., emotional, instrumental—financial, non-financial)
Who provides supports and their relation to the respondent
Strength and importance of social network; value and benefit of supports received
Areas of conflict or tensions
Norms and values within social network regarding fatherhood and parenting, marriage/relationships, work
How fatherhood has affected his relationships with members within network
Reciprocal supports provided by respondent to members within his social network
C. Connections and Experiences with Organizations/Systems
1. Key organizations and systems (both formal and informal) in which respondent is currently involved (for example, a community-based organization, a church or mosque, a self-help group, social service organizations, educational agencies, courts/criminal justice; health services/pubic clinics)
Nature of involvement (why involved, how involved, voluntary/mandatory, length of involvement; services received)
Positive or negative perceptions of and experiences with these organizations/systems
Influence of these organization/system on respondent, especially relating to father’s involvement with child(ren), romantic and co-parenting relationships, and employment
Assistance provided by RF program in identifying and facilitating connections to organizations/systems
2. Key organizations and systems (both formal and informal) in which respondent has been involved in the past
Nature of involvement (why involved, how involved, voluntary/mandatory, length of involvement; services received)
Positive or negative perceptions of and experiences with these organizations/systems
Influence of these organization/system on respondent, especially relating to father’s involvement with child(ren), romantic and co-parenting relationships, and employment
3. Resources or services needed or desired by respondent, but not available or difficult to access
4. Current child support experiences; changes since Wave 2 interview, when and why changes occurred
Child support arrangements/obligations for each child (formal and informal)
Views about and satisfaction with current arrangement(s)
Status of arrearages
Child support payment process (e.g., automatic wage-withholding, paid directly by father)
Understanding of and experiences (if any) with downward modifications of child support orders
Knowledge of fathers’ rights and responsibilities relating to child support;
Perceptions regarding fairness of system
Interactions with and treatment by child support staff, others involved in child support process (e.g., judges, court staff) since Wave 2 interview
D. Neighborhood and Community
1. Description of key characteristics of respondent’s neighborhood (e.g., urban/ suburban, economically distressed, tight-knit, safety conditions)
2. Availability, accessibility and use of resources for children and families (e.g., recreation centers, libraries, parks and playgrounds)
3. Presence of fathers actively engaged in parenting
4. Common types of activities fathers in neighborhood engage in with their children
5. Strategies used to protect child(ren) against danger or risks in the neighborhood and the community at large
E. Becoming a Father (if had another child since Wave 2 interview)
1. Length of courtship and seriousness of relationship with mother(s) of child(ren)
2. Nature of the relationship with mother(s) during pregnancy and after the birth of the child
3. Residential status of mother and father during pregnancy or shortly after the birth of the child
4. Conception planned or accidental, welcomed or unwelcomed
5. Present for birth, visited child in hospital
6. Experience and feelings when first introduced to child; differences between experiences and feelings regarding this child and previous children
7. <If not married to mother of new child>: Whether legal paternity established, same last name as father; process by which paternity established
8. Impact and influence of becoming a father on attitudes and behavior of respondent
Values and priorities
Short- and long-term goals and aspirations; future orientation
Self-image
Nature and dynamics of his relationships
Risk-taking behaviors
How and with whom respondent spends time
F. Responsible Fatherhood (RF) Program Experiences <since Wave 2 interview>
1. Nature and frequency of contact or involvement with RF program after formally leaving the program; any specific RF program services received or activities participated in
2. Reflections on whether and how the RF program experience led to changes in views, knowledge, attitudes, skills and/or behavior, especially as they relate to:
Manhood, fatherhood, parenting, and relationships
Fathering and co-parenting
Interactions and relationship with child(ren)’s mother
Nature and quality of involvement with respondent’s child(ren)
Employment (e.g. job search, workplace behavior, long term plans/career plans)
Interactions with current partner
Child support
Availability and/or access to additional resources and services
Composition of and interactions with members of respondent’s social network
Personal challenges and transitions (e.g., physical disability, mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration)
G. Employment Experiences
1. Current employment status (including participation in informal economy)
2. Type of job, length of time in job, views and expectations on how long will keep this job?
3. Satisfaction with current job, major positive aspects and negative aspects
4. <Since Wave 2 interview>: Participation in any education or training, or other activities to improve employability/advance in labor market
5. <Since Wave 2 interview>: Changes in employment (employer, wages, hours worked, type of work)
When and why changes occurred
How change in employment affected father’s involvement with his child(ren), relationship with the mother(s) of his child(ren)/current partner, other aspects of day-to-day life
6. Current or most recent job search experience (for example, activities, process, challenges)
7. Whether and how RF program helped in finding or maintaining a job
8. Family/work balance—considerations, strategies employed, and trade-offs
9. Impact of past employment history and current employment/unemployment on father’s involvement with child(ren), relationships with the mother(s) of his child(ren)/current partner
10. <If has more than one job (informal or formal)>: Strategies used to manage more than one job
11. Aspirations, goals, and plans related to future employment/career
H. Personal Characteristics, Strengths and Challenges, Goals and Aspirations
1. Self-identified personality characteristics (for example, responsible, shy, hot-tempered); self-assessment of personal strengths and limitations
2. Hobbies, talents
3. Areas of personal development/self-growth <since Wave 2 interview>
Factors contributing to personal development, including any pivotal events or circumstances
Effect on fatherhood and parenting, relationships, employment, and (if still enrolled) RF program participation
4. Respondent views on how the character traits he possesses affect his:
Fatherhood and parenting
Relationships
Employment experiences
RF program experiences
Overall life experiences
5. Personal challenges <since Wave 2 interview>
Changes in type and severity of challenges experienced (e.g., physical or mental health issues, substance abuse, housing instability, unstable employment/lack of income, incarceration)
When and why changes occurred
6. Goals and aspirations for the future
Six months from now, a year from now, five years from now
Expectations and outlook regarding possibility of achieving goals and aspirations
Specific steps and actions planned for fulfilling goals and aspirations
I. Father Involvement (with each child)
1. Current amount of time spent with child, pattern and frequency of contact; changes since Wave 2 interview
When and why changes occurred
2. Nature and type(s) of involvement; changes since Wave 2 interview
When and why changes occurred
3. Where in-person contact typically occurs, other modes of communication (e.g., texting, social media); changes since Wave 2 interview
When and why changes occurred
4. Quality of father-child relationship; changes since Wave 2 interview
When and why changes occurred
5. Satisfaction with father-child relationship; changes since Wave 2 interview
Most and least rewarding aspects
6. Respondent perceptions of how child views him and feels about their relationship; changes since Wave 2 interview
When and why changes occurred
7. Hopes and expectations regarding future relationship with child
8. Type(s) of parenting challenge(s) encountered; changes since Wave 2 interview
Whether and how respondent has sought to address challenges
9. Impediments to father involvement; changes since Wave 2 interview
Whether and how respondent has sought to address challenges
J. Father’s Relationship with Mother(s) of Child(ren)/Current Partner
1. <Since Wave 2 Interview>: Relationship status with mother(s) of each child (e.g., married, divorced, cohabitating, episodic, little to no contact)
Changes in relationship status since Wave 2 interview
When and why changes occurred
2. <Since Wave 2 Interview>: Nature and quality of father-mother relationship (e.g., communication, trust, closeness)
Changes in nature or quality of relationship
Changes in coparenting arrangements and interactions between respondent and child’s mother related to parenting, examples of successes and difficulties
Changes in (co) parenting strategies
Changes in how mother supports and/or hinders father involvement
Changes in how father and/or mother seek to resolve sources of tension; the results of these efforts
Changes in issues and strategies associated with managing relationships with former/current partner(s)
When and why changes occurred
3. Current partner (if current relationship is someone other than a mother of his child/ren)
Relationship duration and status, changes since
Partner’s role and involvement (if any) with his children
Father’s role and involvement (if any) with her children
Expectations and plans about current relationship going forward
4. Managing complex family structures and dynamics
Challenges navigating relationships with multiple current/former partners and strategies
Strategies used to address challenges
K. Evolving Views on Fatherhood, Parenting, and Relationships
1. Respondent definition of and views on:
Manhood/masculinity
Father’s role and attributes of a good father
Mother’s role and attributes of a good mother
Healthy (and unhealthy) relationships
Ideal family
2. Factors contributing to any changes in respondents definition or views on these topics
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | Felita Buckner |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-28 |