Contextualizing relationship quality between pregnant Black women and the fathers of their babies: A latent class analysis.

Background: Black women in the United States experience higher rates of adverse maternal and birth outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms and preterm birth), influenced by social and psychosocial factors including mother-father relationship quality. Existing measures of relationship quality often overlook the unique dynamics within Black families, requiring a more nuanced approach.

Objective: This study aims to contextualize the multidimensional nature of relationship quality between pregnant Black women and the fathers of their babies.

Method: Using a cross-sectional design, we analyzed data from 405 women enrolled in the Biosocial Impacts on Black Births study. Participants completed questionnaires at 19-29 weeks gestation on six indicators of relationship quality: frequency of contact, frequency of father's involvement during pregnancy, relationship before and during pregnancy, support, and conflict. Latent class analysis was used to identify a construct of relationship quality.

Results: Three distinct classes of relationship quality were identified: "no relationship," "conflictual relationship," and "good relationship." Sensitivity analyses showed that while marital or cohabitation status was highly correlated with both the relationship indicators and identified classes, its inclusion as an additional indicator did not alter classification in the latent class model. These classes highlight the intricacies of relationship dynamics, which may be specific to Black families.

Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of considering the multifaceted context of relationship quality, which is essential for designing culturally informed public health strategies or interventions. The implications of our findings are significant for both research and clinical interventions aimed at improving birth outcomes for diverse populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).