NCJ Number
216449
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 35 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 839-847
Date Published
October 2006
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study attempted to identify predictors of depression among adolescent mothers in urban and non-urban settings.
Abstract
Self-perceived resources predicted depression among adolescent mothers at 14 months when education and income were controlled. At 36 months, the main effect for self-perceived resources was significant but qualified by the interaction for self-perceived resources and education. For teen mothers who perceived their resources more positively, education was negatively related to depression. For teen mothers who perceived their resources more negatively, education was positively related to depression. However, adolescent mothers with a high level of education and a low level of self-perceived resources showed more depressive symptoms than mothers with a low level of education and a low level of self-perceived resources. Income was unrelated to depression. The lack of significance of income may be indicative that a teen’s family income does not represent all the monetary resources she has available. Differences were not found in depression levels between urban and non-urban teen mothers. In the United States, teen pregnancy continues to be a societal concern. The stress of pregnancy and parenting may overwhelm a young woman and deplete her resources. Teen mothers are prone to depression. There are many factors that may affect a teen mother’s likelihood of developing depressive symptoms. In this study, self-perceived resource adequacy, education, income, age, and environment (urban versus non-urban) were investigated as predictors of depression at approximately 14 and 36 months after birth in adolescent mothers (n=523). Tables and references