Faculty Publications

Adolescent Mothers And Depression: Predictors Of Resilience And Risk Through The Toddler Years

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Adolescent mother, Depression, Mastery, Mental health, Parenting stress

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Family Social Work

Volume

10

Issue

3

First Page

13

Last Page

29

Abstract

This study investigated predictors of depression in 278 African-American, 206 European-American, and 122 Hispanic teen mothers approximately 36 months after the birth while controlling for depression 14 months after the birth. Predictor variables were age, ethnicity, mastery, knowledge of development, and parental distress. Younger teens were not more depressed than older teens. Although there were not significant differences by ethnicity in 14 month depression, significant differences were evident at 36 months. European-American mothers were the most depressed, whereas Hispanic mothers were the least depressed. Parental distress was positively associated with depression at 36 months while controlling for depression at 14 months. This study provides information for targeting teen mothers at the highest risk for depression through the toddler years, as well as spurs ideas for intervention strategies. © by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

Department

Department of Design, Textiles, Gerontology, and Family Studies

Original Publication Date

5-1-2007

DOI of published version

10.1300/J039v10n03_02

Link to Full Text

Comments?

Share

COinS