Adolescent Parenthood
Bartlett, J. D., Raskin, M., Kotake, C., Nearing, K. D., & Easterbrooks, M. A. (2014). An
ecological analysis of infant neglect by adolescent mothers. Child Abuse & Neglect, 38(4), 723734.
Researchers in this study examined a wide range of risk factors that have been largely
unexamined in relation to infant neglect, the most commonly occurring form of child
maltreatment. Overall, researchers found that several factors were associated with infant
neglect by young mothers: median block income, low infant birth rate, maternal smoking,
maternal childhood history of neglect and of positive care, intimate partner violence (IPV)
perpetrated by either the mother or her partner, and maternal use of mental health services (p.
723).
In multivariate models, income, a maternal childhood history of positive care, IPV by either a
mother or her partner, and mental health services usage made significant contributions to the
odds that a mother neglected her infant (p. 723).
Madigan, S., Wade, M., Plamondon, A., Vaillancourt, K., Jenkins, J. M., Shouldice, M., &
Benoit, D. (2014). Course of depression and anxiety symptoms during the transition to
parenthood for female adolescents with histories of victimization. Child Abuse & Neglect,
38(7), 1160-1170.
Adolescent pregnancy and parenthood have been associated with adverse developmental,
psychological, and educational outcomes for both the adolescent and her offspring (p. 1160).
The aim of this study was to increase understanding of how victimization history impacts the
longitudinal course of depression and anxiety in a sample of adolescents emerging into
parenthood. Overall, researchers found that sexual abuse history reduced the likelihood of a
decrease in depressive symptoms overtime. Neglect history was associated with higher prenatal
levels of anxiety, as well as a steeper decline in anxiety symptoms over time.
Hodgkinson, S. A. (2014). Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Pregnant and Parenting
Adolescents. Pediatrics, 133(1), 114-122.
This article summarized the current literature on the prevalence and severity of mental health
disorders in adolescent mothers, barriers to care, and recommendations for interventions that
address the mental health needs of this vulnerable population (p. 115). Overall, research assert
that adolescent parenthood is associated with a range of adverse outcomes for young mothers,
including mental health problems such as depression, substance abuse, and post-traumatic
stress disorder. Teen mother are also more likely to be impoverished and reside in communities
and families that are socially and economically disadvantaged. These circumstances can
adversely affect maternal mental health, parenting, and behavior outcomes for their children (p.
114).
Adolescent Parenthood