Psychological correlates of teenage motherhood
Barth, R.P.; Schinke, S.P.; Maxwell, J.S.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence 12(6): 471-487
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-2891 PMID: 12339718 DOI: 10.1007/bf02088665Document Number: 405287
The social and economic consequences of adolescent motherhood are known, yet the psychological associates are largely unstudied. Clinical studies point to distressing reactions to adolescent pregnancy, and do not reflect changes in social attitudes about teenage parenting. Adolescent mothers (n = 62), pregnant teenagers (n = 63) and nonpregnant and nonparenting (n = 60) adolescents enrolled in public high schools completed measures of socioeconomic status, depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-esteem and social supports. Evidently, adolescent mothers and pregnant teenagers are less distressed by their situation than was once thought. Social supports and socioeconomic status predicted psychological well-being better than parenting status. Expanded school programs for teenage mothers and renewed efforts to enhance young mothers' social and socioeconomic resources are called recommended.
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