If you receive a Massachusetts Parenthood and Fatherhood Experiences survey in the mail, please fill out the survey and return it in the provided postage-paid envelope. You will receive a small token with the survey and a gift when the survey is returned.
Frequently asked questions
Why are dads and second parents important?
Fathers and second parents play a critical role in the health and well-being of their families yet are often not included in studies. There has been a growing body of evidence across public health, sociology, and psychology of the importance that fathers and second parents play in a child’s development as well as to improve mother’s health during pregnancy and delivery. Despite this, little is known about the mental and physical health impacts of becoming a parent on fathers and second parents. To better understand the transition to parenthood along with the role of fathers and second parents in reproductive health, we are piloting a survey for fathers and second parents building on the successful PRAMS model.
Who is developing the survey?
Massachusetts PRAMS has partnered with a team from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago who piloted the first PRAMS for Dads program in Georgia along with CDC in 2018.
What is the goal of Massachusetts Parenthood and Fatherhood Experiences?
The goal of this new survey is to improve the lives of families and new parents in the state of Massachusetts through data collection of both parents using our established PRAMS model. Massachusetts Parenthood and Fatherhood Experiences shares similar benefits to the PRAMS project by expanding our sampled population to include fathers and second parents along with mothers included in PRAMS.
How are Massachusetts Parenthood and Fatherhood Experiences data used?
Fathers and second parents are often not included in data collection in the time around pregnancy and delivery. This makes the Massachusetts Parenthood and Fatherhood Experiences project a unique opportunity to identify groups of men, second parents, and infants that have different risks as well as monitor patterns in fathers’ and second parents’ health. Results from this survey can be used to communicate with programs within the Department of Public Health as well as community partners to work collaboratively, develop, and improve existing programs to improve the overall health and wellbeing of children, mothers, and families in the state of Massachusetts.
What information does Massachusetts Parenthood and Fatherhood Experiences collect?
The survey will include information about access to healthcare, current physical and mental health, access to resources to support fathers and second parents, experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, experiences of discrimination, and use of paid family leave.
What is the current status of this project?
We have reviewed community feedback on survey questions and are planning to start mailing surveys in Fall 2022.
Are my answers really important?
If you have been selected to participate in the Massachusetts Parenthood and Fatherhood project, our answers are very important! We only select a small group of fathers or second parents in the state and your answers will help inform initiatives led the Department of Public Health to improve the health of families and children. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sarah L. Stone at Sarah.L.Stone@mass.gov.
Will my answers be kept private?
Yes! All answers are kept confidential to the extent permitted by Massachusetts State law. All answers given on the questionnaires will be grouped together to give us information on Massachusetts fathers and second parents of new babies. Your name will not be on any reports from the PRAMS team.
Some of the questions do not seem related to health care. Why are they asked?
Many different things in a father or second parent’s life may affect them and their baby's health — even some things that don't seem directly related to health care and birth outcomes. The Massachusetts Parenthood and Fatherhood Experiences questions are meant to get information about the many aspects of fathers’ and second parents’ lives during the transition to father or parenthood which can affect health.
What if I want to ask more questions about Massachusetts Parenthood and Fatherhood Experiences project?
Please see the contact information on the right-hand side. We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have about Massachusetts Parenthood and Fatherhood Experiences project. If you prefer to complete the questionnaire over the telephone, please let us know.