The DADS Project: Newborn Binder (June 2002)

Section Eight - Father-Mother Relationships

[ Main Page of Report | Contents of Report ]

Time With Mom Before Pregnancy
Disagreements Concerning Child
General Disagreements
Rating of Relationship With Child’s Mother
Status of Relationship (e.g. Romantic, Friendship)
Past Relationship With Child’s Mother/Why Relationship Ended
Plans for Relationship in the Future (e.g. Marriage, Cohabitation)
Mother’s View of Father’s Involvement With Child
Quality of Current Relationship
Feelings About Interactions With Spouse

Construct:
Time With Mom Before Pregnancy

Construct: Time w/mom before pregnancy

Question #: 3.1

Study: EHS- 1 Month

1. How long did you and (MOTHER) know each other before she got pregnant?

/_(INSERT #)____/ YEARS /_(INSERT #)____/ MONTHS

Construct: Time w/mom before pregnancy

Question #: 3.2

Study: EHS- 1 Month

1. Were you with (MOTHER) when she found out she was pregnant?

YES………………………………………...01

NO…………………………………………00

Construct: Time w/mom before pregnancy

Question #: 3.3

Study: EHS- 1 Month

1. How soon after (MOTHER) found out she was pregnant, did you learn that she was pregnant?

WITHIN ONE WEEK……………………..01

WITHIN ONE MONTH…………………...02

MORE THAN A MONTH LATER……….03

AFTER BABY WAS BORN………………04

Construct: Time w/mom before pregnancy

Question #: 3.1

Study: EHS- 3 Month

1. How long did you and (MOTHER) know each other before she got pregnant?

/_(INSERT #)____/ YEARS /_(INSERT #)____/ MONTHS

Construct: Time w/mom before pregnancy

Question #: 3.2

Study: EHS- 3 Month

1. Were you with (MOTHER) when she found out she was pregnant?

YES………………………………………...01

NO…………………………………………00

Construct: Time w/mom before pregnancy

Question #: 3.3

Study: EHS- 3 Month

1. How soon after (MOTHER) found out she was pregnant, did you learn that she was pregnant?

WITHIN ONE WEEK……………………..01

WITHIN ONE MONTH…………………...02

MORE THAN A MONTH LATER……….03

AFTER BABY WAS BORN………………04

Construct: Time w/mom before pregnancy

Question #: B1

Study: FF-F

B1. Now I’d like to ask you some questions about your relationship with (BABY’s MOTHER). How long did you know each other before (BABY’s MOTHER) got pregnant?

/_(INSERT #)____/ YEARS /_(INSERT #)____/ MONTHS

[ Go to Contents ]

Construct:
Disagreements Concerning Child

Construct: Disagreements concerning child

Question #: 5.1

Study: EHS- 1 Month

1. I’m going to read you a list of issues that you and (MOTHER) may have disagreements about. For each one, please tell me if you have none, some, or a great deal of disagreement.

How much disagreement do you have about (ITEM)? Is it none, some, or a great deal of disagreement?

NONE SOME A GREAT DEAL

A. How (CHILD) is raised? 00 01 02

B. How you spend money on (CHILD)? 00 01 02

C. How (MOTHER) spends money on (CHILD)? 00 01 02

D. How much time you spend with (CHILD)? 00 01 02

E. Your financial contribution to (CHILD)’s support? 00 01 02

	SOME	A GREAT DEAL
A. How (CHILD) is raised?	01	02
B. How you spend money on (CHILD)?	01	02
C. How (MOTHER) spends money on (CHILD)?	01	02
D. How much time you spend with (CHILD)?	01	02
E. Your financial contribution to (CHILD)’s support?	01	02

Construct: Disagreements concerning child

Question #: 5.2

Study: EHS- 1 Month

1. Is this a resident father/father-figure?

YES………………………………………...01

NO…………………………………….……00

A.How much disagreement do you have about where (CHILD) lives?

None…………………………………….….00

Some……………………………………….01

A great deal………………………………...02

Construct: Disagreements concerning child

Question #: 4.7

Study: EHS- 6 Month

4.7. I’m going to read you a list of issues that you and (MOTHER) may have disagreements about. For each one, please tell me if you have none, some, or a great deal of disagreement.

	SOME	A GREAT DEAL
A. How (CHILD) is raised?	01	02
B. How you spend money on (CHILD)?	01	02
C. How (MOTHER) spends money on (CHILD)?	01	02
D. How much time you spend with (CHILD)?	01	02
E. Your financial contribution to (CHILD)’s support?	01	02

Construct: Disagreements concerning child

Question #: 4.8

Study: EHS- 6 Month

8. Is this a resident father/father-figure?

YES………………………………………...01

NO…………………………………………00

A.How much disagreement do you have about where (CHILD) lives? Is it…

None…………………………………….….00

Some……………………………………….01

A great deal………………………………...02

Construct: Disagreements concerning child

Question #: D5

Study: ECLS-B, Non-Resident Father

D5. I am going to read you a list of issues that you and (CHILD)’s mother may have some disagreements about. For each one, please tell me if you have none, some, or a great deal of disagreement.

NONE SOME A GREAT DEAL

A. How (CHILD) is raised? 00 01 02

B. How you spend money on (CHILD)? 00 01 02

C. How (MOTHER) spends money on (CHILD)? 00 01 02

D. How much time you spend with (CHILD)? 00 01 02

E. Your financial contribution to (CHILD)’s support? 00 01 02

	SOME	A GREAT DEAL
A. How (CHILD) is raised?	01	02
B. How you spend money on (CHILD)?	01	02
C. How (MOTHER) spends money on (CHILD)?	01	02
D. How much time you spend with (CHILD)?	01	02
E. Your financial contribution to (CHILD)’s support?	01	02

[ Go to Contents ]

Construct:
General Disagreements

Construct: General disagreements

Question #: 5.3

Study: EHS- 1 Month

1. There are various ways that people deal with serious disagreements.

When you have a serious disagreement with (MOTHER), how often do you (ITEM)? Do you do this never, seldom, sometimes, very often, or always?

NEVER SELDOM SOMETIMES VERY OFTEN ALWAYS

A. Just keep your opinions to yourself? 01 02 03 04 05

B. Discuss your agreements calmly? 01 02 03 04 05

C. Argue heatedly or shout at each other? 01 02 03 04 05

	NEVER	SELDOM	SOMETIMES	VERY OFTEN	ALWAYS
A. Just keep your opinions to yourself?	01	02	03	04	05
B. Discuss your agreements calmly?	01	02	03	04	05
C. Argue heatedly or shout at each other?	01	02	03	04	05

Construct: General disagreements

Question #: 4.9

Study: EHS- 6 Month

1. There are various ways that people deal with serious disagreements.

When you have a serious disagreement with (CHILD’S MOTHER/PRIMARY CAREGIVER), how often do you (ITEM)? Do you do this never, seldom, sometimes, very often, or always?

NEVER SELDOM SOMETIMES VERY OFTEN ALWAYS

A. Just keep your opinions to yourself? 01 02 03 04 05

B. Discuss your agreements calmly? 01 02 03 04 05

C. Argue heatedly or shout at each other? 01 02 03 04 05

	NEVER	SELDOM	SOMETIMES	VERY OFTEN	ALWAYS
A. Just keep your opinions to yourself?	01	02	03	04	05
B. Discuss your agreements calmly?	01	02	03	04	05
C. Argue heatedly or shout at each other?	01	02	03	04	05

Construct: General disagreements

Question #: 4.16

Study: EHS- 6 Month

4.16. I’m going to read you some statements about how the people who live with you get along and settle arguments. For each statement, please tell me if you strongly agree, mildly agree, mildly disagree, or strongly disagree with it for your household.

(READ ITEM) Do you strongly agree, mildly agree, mildly disagree, or strongly disagree with this?

STRONGLY
AGREE MILDLY
AGREE MILDLY
DISAGREE STRONGLY
DISAGREE

A. We fight a lot… 04 03 02 01

B. We hardly ever lose our tempers… 04 03 02 01

C. We sometimes get so angry we throw things… 04 03 02 01

D. We often criticize one another… 04 03 02 01

E. We sometimes hit one another… 04 03 02 01

	STRONGLY AGREE	MILDLY AGREE	MILDLY DISAGREE	STRONGLY DISAGREE
A. We fight a lot…	04	03	02	01
B. We hardly ever lose our tempers…	04	03	02	01
C. We sometimes get so angry we throw things…	04	03	02	01
D. We often criticize one another…	04	03	02	01
E. We sometimes hit one another…	04	03	02	01

Construct: General disagreements

Question #: D6

Study: ECLS-B, Non-Resident Father

D6. People deal with disagreements in different ways. When you have a serious disagreement with (CHILD)’s mother, how often do you:

OFTEN SOMETIMES HARDLY EVER NEVER DON’T KNOW REFUSED

a. Just keep your opinions to yourself? 1 2 3 4 98 99

b. Discuss your disagreements calmly? 1 2 3 4 98 99

c. Argue heatedly or shout at each other? 1 2 3 4 98 99

d. End up hitting or throwing things at each other? 1 2 3 4 98 99

e. Reach a compromise? 1 2 3 4 98 99

f. Criticize each other? 1 2 3 4 98 99

	OFTEN	SOMETIMES	HARDLY EVER	NEVER	DON’T KNOW	REFUSED
a. Just keep your opinions to yourself?	1	2	3	4	98	99
b. Discuss your disagreements calmly?	1	2	3	4	98	99
c. Argue heatedly or shout at each other?	1	2	3	4	98	99
d. End up hitting or throwing things at each other?	1	2	3	4	98	99
e. Reach a compromise?	1	2	3	4	98	99
f. Criticize each other?	1	2	3	4	98	99

Construct: General disagreements

Question #: Q26

Study: ECLS-B, Resident Father

Q26. Do you and your (spouse/partner) often, sometimes, hardly ever, or never have any arguments about…

(For each item, mark one response.)

OFTEN SOMETIMES HARDLY EVER NEVER

a. Chores and responsibilities?

b. Your child(ren)?

c. Money?

d. Not showing love and affection?

e. Sex?

f. Religion?

g. Leisure time?

h. Drinking?

i. Other women or men?

j. In-laws?

Construct: General disagreements

Question #: Q27

Study: ECLS-B, Resident Father

Q27. Couples deal with serious disagreements in different ways. When you have a serious disagreement with your (wife/partner), how often do you…

OFTEN SOMETIMES HARDLY EVER NEVER

a. Just keep your opinions to yourself? 1 2 3 4

b. Discuss your disagreements calmly? 1 2 3 4

c. Argue heatedly or shout at each other? 1 2 3 4

d. End up hitting or throwing things at each other? 1 2 3 4

e. Reach a compromise? 1 2 3 4

f. Criticize each other? 1 2 3 4

	OFTEN	SOMETIMES	HARDLY EVER	NEVER
a. Just keep your opinions to yourself?	1	2	3	4
b. Discuss your disagreements calmly?	1	2	3	4
c. Argue heatedly or shout at each other?	1	2	3	4
d. End up hitting or throwing things at each other?	1	2	3	4
e. Reach a compromise?	1	2	3	4
f. Criticize each other?	1	2	3	4

Construct: General disagreements

Question #: B6

Study: FF-F

B6. The following is a list of subjects on which couples often have disagreements. When you and (BABY’s MOTHER) were last together, how often, if at all, did you have open disagreements about:

OFTEN SOMETIMES NEVER

a. Money? 1 2 3

b. Spending time together? 1 2 3

c. Sex? 1 2 3

d. The pregnancy? 1 2 3

e. Drinking or drug use? 1 2 3

f. Being faithful? 1 2 3

	OFTEN	SOMETIMES	NEVER
a. Money?	1	2	3
b. Spending time together?	1	2	3
c. Sex?	1	2	3
d. The pregnancy?	1	2	3
e. Drinking or drug use?	1	2	3
f. Being faithful?	1	2	3

[ Go to Contents ]

Construct:
Rating of Relationship With Child’s Mother

Construct: Rating of relationship with child’s mother

Question #: 5.5a

Study: EHS- 1 Month

5.5a. In general, would you say your relationship with (CHILD)’s mother is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?

POOR………………………………………01

FAIR……………………………………….02

GOOD……………………………………...03

VERY GOOD……………………………...04

EXCELLENT……………………………...05

Construct: Rating of relationship w/child’s mother

Question #: D4

Study: ECLS-B, Non-Resident Father

D4. Which of the following statements best describes your current relationship with (CHILD)’s mother?

We generally get along pretty well………….1

We don’t get along too well…………………2

We fight a lot and do not get along well…….3

We avoid seeing each other…………………4

Construct: Rating of relationship w/child’s mother

Question #: B13

Study: FF-F

B13. Thinking about your relationship with (BABY’s MOTHER), how often would you say that:

Often Sometimes Never

a. She is fair and willing to compromise when you have a disagreement? 1 2 3

b. She hits or slaps you when she is angry? 1 2 3

c. She expresses affection or love for you? 1 2 3

d. She insults or criticizes you or your ideas? 1 2 3

e. She encourages or helps you to do things that are important to you? 1 2 3

	Often	Sometimes	Never
a. She is fair and willing to compromise when you have a disagreement?	1	2	3
b. She hits or slaps you when she is angry?	1	2	3
c. She expresses affection or love for you?	1	2	3
d. She insults or criticizes you or your ideas?	1	2	3
e. She encourages or helps you to do things that are important to you?	1	2	3

[ Go to Contents ]

Construct:
Status of Relationship (e.g. Romantic, Friendship)

Construct: Status of relationship (e.g. Romantic, friendship…)

Question #: 4.14c

Study: EHS- 6 Month

4.14c. Do you consider yourself to be (MOTHER)’s spouse or partner?

YES, SPOUSE.…………………..………...01

YES, PARTNER...…………………………00

NO…………………………………………00

Construct: Status of relationship (e.g. Romantic, friendship…)

Question #: 4.15c

Study: EHS- 6 Month

4.15c. Now, please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement.

Please think about how your relationship is right now.

I often feel distant from my (spouse/partner). Do you strongly agree, mildly agree, mildly disagree, or strongly disagree with this?

STRONGLY DISAGREE…………………01

MILDLY DISAGREE……………………..02

DON’T KNOW………………………….…-1

MILDLY AGREE……………………….…03

STRONGLY AGREE……………….……..04

Construct: Status of relationship (e.g. Romantic/ friendship)

Question #: B3

Study: FF-F

B3. Which of the following statements best describes your current relationship with (BABY’s MOTHER)?

We are romantically involved on a steady basis………………………………………….1

We are often involved in an on-again and off-again relationship…………..……………2

We are just friends…………………………..3

We hardly ever talk to each other…..……….4

We never talk to each other…………………5

Construct: Status of relationship (e.g. Romantic/ friendship)

Question #: B4

Study: FF-F

B4. Why did your romantic relationship with (BABY’s MOTHER) end?

I WAS NOT IN LOVE WITH BABY’S MOTHER
I WAS INVOLVED WITH ANOTHER WOMAN (OTHER WOMEN)
I WAS NOT READY TO SETTLE DOWN (NOT MATURE ENOUGH)
I HAD A DRUG/ALCOHOL PROBLEM
I DID NOT HAVE A STEADY JOB (EARN ENOUGH)
MOTHER WAS NOT IN LOVE WITH ME
MOTHER WAS INVOLVED WITH ANOTHER MAN (OTHER MEN)
MOTHER WAS NOT READY TO SETTLE DOWN (NOT MATURE ENOUGH)
MOTHER HAD A DRUG/ALCOHOL PROBLEM
MOTHER DID NOT HAVE A STEADY JOB (EARN ENOUGH)
MOTHER WAS TOO HARD TO GET ALONG WITH
OTHER (SPECIFY)

Construct: Status of relationship (e.g. Romantic/ friendship)

Question #: B5

Study: FF-F

B5. I’m going to read you some things that couples often do together. Tell me which ones did you and (BABY’S MOTHER) do during the last month you were together.

Yes No

A. Visited with friends? 1 2

B. Went out to a movie, sporting event, or some other entertainment? 1 2

C. Ate out in a restaurant? 1 2

D. Helped each other solve a problem? 1 2

	Yes	No
A. Visited with friends?	1	2
B. Went out to a movie, sporting event, or some other entertainment?	1	2
C. Ate out in a restaurant?	1	2
D. Helped each other solve a problem?	1	2

Construct: Status of relationship (e.g. Romantic/ friendship)

Question #: B8

Study: FF-F

B8. Are you and (BABY’S MOTHER) living together now?

YES………………………………………….1

NO…………………………………………..2

[ Go to Contents ]

Construct:
Past Relationship With Child’s Mother/Why Relationship Ended

Construct: Past relationship with child’s mother/why relationship ended

Question #: B7

Study: FF-F

B7. Thinking about your past relationship with (BABY’S MOTHER), how often would you say that:

Often Sometimes Never

A. She was fair and willing to compromise when you had a disagreement? Would you say often, sometimes, or never? 1 2 3

B. She hit or slapped you when she was angry? 1 2 3

C. She expressed affection or love for you? 1 2 3

D. She insulted or criticized you or your ideas? 1 2 3

E. She encouraged or helped you to do things that were important to you? 1 2 3

	Often	Sometimes	Never
A. She was fair and willing to compromise when you had a disagreement? Would you say often, sometimes, or never?	1	2	3
B. She hit or slapped you when she was angry?	1	2	3
C. She expressed affection or love for you?	1	2	3
D. She insulted or criticized you or your ideas?	1	2	3
E. She encouraged or helped you to do things that were important to you?	1	2	3

[ Go to Contents ]

Construct:
Plans for Relationship in the Future (e.g. Marriage, Cohabitation)

Construct: Plans for relationship in the future (e.g. marriage, cohabitation)

Question #: B9

Study: FF-F

B9. Do you and (BABY’S MOTHER) have plans to live together or marry in the future?

YES………………………………………….1

NO…………………………………………..2

What are the reasons you and (BABY’S MOTHER) are not planning to live together (or get married)? (Circle all that apply.)

I AM NOT IN LOVE WITH BABY’S MOTHER
I AM INVOLVED WITH ANOTHER WOMAN (OTHER WOMEN)
I AM NOT READY TO SETTLE DOWN (NOT MATURE ENOUGH)
I HAVE A DRUG/ALCOHOL PROBLEM
I DO NOT HAVE A STEADY JOB (EARN ENOUGH)
I DO NOT BELIEVE IN MARRIAGE
MOTHER IS NOT IN LOVE WITH ME
MOTHER IS INVOLVED WITH ANOTHER MAN (OTHER MEN)
MOTHER IS NOT READY TO SETTLE DOWN (NOT MATURE ENOUGH)
MOTHER HAS A DRUG/ALCOHOL PROBLEM
MOTHER DOES NOT HAVE A STEADY JOB (EARN ENOUGH)
MOTHER IS TOO HARD TO GET ALONG WITH
MOTHER DOES NOT BELIEVE IN MARRIAGE
NO PLACE TO LIVE
MARRIAGE/LIVING TOGETHER SEEMS LIKE TOO BIG A RISK
OTHER (SPECIFY)

B. What are the reasons you and (BABY’S MOTHER) are not living together (or married) now?

I AM NOT IN LOVE WITH BABY’S MOTHER
I AM INVOLVED WITH ANOTHER WOMAN (OTHER WOMEN)
I AM NOT READY TO SETTLE DOWN (NOT MATURE ENOUGH)
I HAVE A DRUG/ALCOHOL PROBLEM
I DO NOT HAVE A STEADY JOB (EARN ENOUGH)
I DO NOT BELIEVE IN MARRIAGE
MOTHER IS NOT IN LOVE WITH ME
MOTHER IS INVOLVED WITH ANOTHER MAN (OTHER MEN)
MOTHER IS NOT READY TO SETTLE DOWN (NOT MATURE ENOUGH)
MOTHER HAS A DRUG/ALCOHOL PROBLEM
MOTHER DOES NOT HAVE A STEADY JOB (EARN ENOUGH)
MOTHER IS TOO HARD TO GET ALONG WITH
MOTHER DOES NOT BELIEVE IN MARRIAGE
NO PLACE TO LIVE
MARRIAGE/LIVING TOGETHER SEEMS LIKE TOO BIG A RISK
OTHER (SPECIFY)

Construct: Plans for relationship in the future (e.g. marriage, cohabitation)

Question #: B14

Study: FF-F

B14. What do you think the chances are that you will marry (BABY’S MOTHER) in the future?

No chance……………………………………1

A little chance……………………………….2

A 50-50 chance………………...……………3

A pretty good chance………………………..4

An almost certain chance……………………5

A. What do you think the chances are that you will marry someone?

No chance……………………………………1

A little chance……………………………….2

A 50-50 chance………………...……………3

A pretty good chance………………………..4

An almost certain chance……………………5

[ Go to Contents ]

Construct:
Mother’s View of Father’s Involvement With Child

Construct: Mother’s view of father’s involvement with child

Question #: B19

Study: FF-F

B19. Does (BABY’S MOTHER) want you to be involved in raising the child (and children) in the coming year?

YES………………………………………….1

NO…………………………………………..2

DON’T KNOW…………………………….98

[ Go to Contents ]

Construct:
Quality of Current Relationship

Construct: Quality of current relationship

Question #: D4

Study: ECLS-B, Non-Resident Father

D4. Which of the following statements best describes your current relationship with (CHILD)’s mother?

We generally get along pretty well………….1

We don’t get along too well…………………2

We fight a lot and do not get along well…….3

We avoid seeing each other…………………4

Construct: Quality of current relationship

Question #: Q24

Study: ECLS-B, Resident Father

Q24. Would you say that your (marriage/relationship) is…

Very happy
Fairly happy, or
Not too happy?

Construct: Quality of current relationship

Question #: Q25

Study: ECLS-B, Resident Father

Q25. About how often do you and your (spouse/partner) do the following things? Would you say almost every day, once or twice a week, once or twice a month, or less often?

Almost every day Once or twice a week Once or twice a month Less often

a. Talk to each other about your day?

b. Laugh together?

c. Calmly discuss something?

d. Work together on a project?

e. Talk about things that interest you both?

[ Go to Contents ]

Construct:
Feelings About Interactions With Spouse

Construct: Feelings about interactions w/spouse

Question #: 4.15

Study: EHS- 6 Month

4.15. The next set of items are about your relationship with your spouse or partner.

Now, please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement.

Please think about how your relationship is right now.

(READ ITEM) Do you strongly agree, mildly agree, mildly disagree, or strongly disagree with this?

STRONGLY AGREE MILDLY AGREE DON’T KNOW MILDLY DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE

A. My (spouse/partner) listens to me when I need someone to talk to. 04 03 -1 02 01

B. I can state my feelings without her getting defensive. 04 03 -1 02 01

C. I often feel distant form my (spouse/partner). 04 03 -1 02 01

D. My (spouse/partner) can really understand my hurts and joys. 04 03 -1 02 01

E. I feel neglected at times by my (spouse/partner). 04 03 -1 02 01

F. I sometimes feel lonely when we’re together. 04 03 -1 02 01

	STRONGLY AGREE	MILDLY AGREE	DON’T KNOW	MILDLY DISAGREE	STRONGLY DISAGREE
A. My (spouse/partner) listens to me when I need someone to talk to.	04	03	-1	02	01
B. I can state my feelings without her getting defensive.	04	03	-1	02	01
C. I often feel distant form my (spouse/partner).	04	03	-1	02	01
D. My (spouse/partner) can really understand my hurts and joys.	04	03	-1	02	01
E. I feel neglected at times by my (spouse/partner).	04	03	-1	02	01
F. I sometimes feel lonely when we’re together.	04	03	-1	02	01

Where to?

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Main Page of Report | Contents of Report

Home Pages:
Human Services Policy (HSP)
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

	OFTEN	SOMETIMES	HARDLY EVER	NEVER
a. Chores and responsibilities?
b. Your child(ren)?
c. Money?
d. Not showing love and affection?
e. Sex?
f. Religion?
g. Leisure time?
h. Drinking?
i. Other women or men?
j. In-laws?

	Almost every day	Once or twice a week	Once or twice a month	Less often
a. Talk to each other about your day?
b. Laugh together?
c. Calmly discuss something?
d. Work together on a project?
e. Talk about things that interest you both?