Differences in maternal perception of the newborn among adolescents
Porter, L.S.; Sobong, L.C.
Pediatric Nursing 16(1): 101-104
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0097-9805 PMID: 2359622 Document Number: 352435
To test the feasibility and efficacy of a Parenting Enhancement Program (PEP) on adolescent mothers' perceptions of the neonate and to ascertain the extent to which PEP reinforces the effects of maternal age or self-esteem on their perceptions. Ninety-two pregnant adolescents were placed into one of two groups; one group participated in a PEP and the other group did not. A Background Information Questionnaire, Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Neonatal Perception Inventory (NPI) were used to collect data from all the subjects at five intervals beginning during pregnancy and ending at 3 months postpartum. A t-test revealed significant differences between the two groups at 1 month postpartum on the NPI. The PEP group had a significant gain on the NPI from the second day postpartum to 1 month postpartum. The PEP subjects showed a significant gain on the SES over time. A significant relationship was found between SES and NPI at 1 month postpartum. The findings lend support for the use of the PEP. Self-esteem served to reinforce the effects of the PEP, but age did not make a difference.