Graduation Year
2025
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Primary Major
Nursing
Thesis Advisor
Luanne Linnard-Palmer RN, MSN, EdD, CPN
Abstract
Paternal lifestyle choices are often overlooked yet are a crucial factor in maternal pregnancy and fetal outcomes. While maternal health behaviors have been the primary focus that determines a healthy pregnancy and child outcomes, this thesis explores how a paternal's (father's) harmful behaviors such as high body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, alcohol consumption, exposure to domestic violence, and lack of partner involvement, can contribute to diminishing the health of both mother and baby. After analyzing six research articles, this thesis revealed how a father's negative lifestyle choices affect maternal pregnancy and fetal outcomes. Using a quantitative, non-experimental descriptive design, this thesis proposed a pilot study surveying at least 25 pregnant, recently pregnant, or with a child up to the age of five years old from shelters who have been exposed to one or more negative paternal behaviors. The survey was developed to investigate how a father's negative lifestyle choices leave an adverse effect on both pregnancy and birth outcomes. The ultimate purpose of this research is to implement effective interventions to aid mothers and their children exposed to harmful paternal behaviors. The end goal is to incorporate nursing interventions that can reduce damaging father behavior, empower a mother's self-care, and improve child outcomes.
Included in
Early Childhood Education Commons, Family Practice Nursing Commons, Health and Physical Education Commons, Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons