A Parenting and Life Skills Intervention for Teen Mothers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Teen mothers often present with depression, social complexity, and inadequate parenting skills. Many have rapid repeat pregnancy, which increases risk for poor outcomes. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a parenting and life skills intervention for teen mothers aimed at impacting parenting and reproductive outcomes.METHODS: Teen mothers were recruited from a teen-tot clinic with integrated medical care and social services. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive (1) teen-tot services plus 5 interactive parenting and life skills modules adapted from the Nurturing and Ansell-Casey Life Skills curricula, delivered by a nurse and social worker over the infant's first 15 months or (2) teen-tot services alone. A computerized questionnaire was self-administered at intake, 12, 24, and 36 months. Outcomes included maternal self-esteem, parenting attitudes associated with child maltreatment risk, maternal depression, life skills, and repeat pregnancy over a 36-month follow-up. We used generalized linear mixed modeling and logistic regression to examine intervention effects.RESULTS: Of 152 invited, 140 (92%) participated (intervention = 72; control = 68). At 36 months, maternal self-esteem was higher in the intervention group compared with controls (P = .011), with higher scores on preparedness for mothering role (P = .011), acceptance of infant (P = .008), and expected relationship with infant (P = .029). Repeat pregnancy by 36 months was significantly lower for intervention versus control participants. CONCLUSIONS: A brief parenting and/or life skills intervention paired with medical care for teens and their children has positive effects on maternal self-esteem and repeat pregnancy over 36 months.

Teenage first-time mothers’ perceptions about their health care needs in the immediate and early postpartum period in Uganda

“…Together with the low social-economic status, they had experienced already; some participants suggested that linkages to organizations that can help them gain occupational skills and family counseling sessions be integrated into the care to persuade their parents to take them back to school after the delivery. A clinical trial done in the united states [ 27 ] found that integrating life skills in the care improved maternal self-esteem and parenting skills among teenage mothers. In our study, though this was outside the clinical roles of the midwives, the participants having experienced animosity and tension at home, were reaching for any hope of relief and chance for a better future.…”

Understanding the Psychological Impacts of Teenage Pregnancy through a Socio-ecological Framework and Life Course Approach

“…71 72 73 Others focus on improving parenting and life skills that have the potential to improve mental health outcomes. 74 75 Some school-based approaches 76 77 and mentoring interventions 78 79 80 have also improved several outcomes. More work is needed to ensure that a more comprehensive, holistic approach that integrates mental health is incorporated into intervention efforts.…”

Karitane Ebeveyn Kendine Güven Ölçeği: Türkçe geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması

“…Bunun yanı sıra ebeveynlik güveni düşük olan annelerin yeterli ebeveynlik güveni olan annelere göre daha saldırgan, cezalandırıcı, düşük özsaygılı ve sert mizaçta oldukları bulunmuştur 10 . Ebeveynler ve sağlık profesyonellerinin katılımıyla gerçekleştirilen odak grup görüşmelerinde ebeveynlik güveninin; bebeği besleyebilme, uyku rutinleri oluşturabilme, ağladığında sebebini yorumlayabilme, bebeğiyle oyun oynayabilme, iletişim kurabilme, ihtiyaçlarına cevap verebilme ve küçük hastalıklarla baş edilme temalarından oluştuğu bulunmuştur 11 .…”