Sexual Partner Type Taxonomy Use Among Black Adolescent Mothers in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
Research on sexual-partner type focuses mostly on "main" and "casual" partner categories. The literature indicates that adolescent girls are less likely to use condoms with main partners, and more likely to use condoms with casual partners. Adolescent mothers may have different types of sexual partners than other adolescent girls. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the range of male sexual partner types reported by Black adolescent mothers.


METHODS
This study was a qualitative description of the perspectives of Black, predominantly African-American, mothers (n=31). Data were generated using focus groups and interviews. The participants' ages ranged from 15-19 years.


METHODS
A semi-structured qualitative questioning guide was used to stimulate focused discussions. Transcribed data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.


RESULTS
The range of sexual partner types of the women were reflected in three themes (1) All main partners are not created equal; (2) They're not casual partners because there are strings attached; (3) "Wham, bam, thank you ma'am:" No strings attached. Nine partner types were identified under these three themes, including a "baby daddy" partner.


CONCLUSIONS
The partner-types of Black adolescent mothers are more robust than the "main" and "casual" partner categories typically referenced in the research literature. The range of sex partners includes the birth fathers of their children. Clinicians and researchers must consider how co-parenthood status is used in the construction of the "baby daddy" partner and what implications this unique sexual partner type may have on risk reduction behaviors such as condom use.
LaRon E. Nelson, College of Nursing, University of South Florida; Dianne Morrison-Beedy, College of Nursing, University of South Florida; Margaret H. Kearney, School of Nursing, University of Rochester; Ann Dozier, Department of Community & Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester.
LaRon E
LE
Nelson
LaRon E. Nelson, College of Nursing, University of South Florida; Dianne Morrison-Beedy, College of Nursing, University of South Florida; Margaret H. Kearney, School of Nursing, University of Rochester; Ann Dozier, Department of Community & Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester.
Dianne
D
Morrison-Beedy
LaRon E. Nelson, College of Nursing, University of South Florida; Dianne Morrison-Beedy, College of Nursing, University of South Florida; Margaret H. Kearney, School of Nursing, University of Rochester; Ann Dozier, Department of Community & Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester.
Margaret H
MH
Kearney
LaRon E. Nelson, College of Nursing, University of South Florida; Dianne Morrison-Beedy, College of Nursing, University of South Florida; Margaret H. Kearney, School of Nursing, University of Rochester; Ann Dozier, Department of Community & Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester.
Ann
A
Dozier
adolescent health; partner type; relationships; sexual health; teen parents