Family Context, Mexican‐Origin Adolescent Mothers' Parenting Knowledge, and Children's Subsequent Developmental Outcomes

Abstract

This study examined parenting knowledge among Mexican-origin adolescent mothers (N = 191; M age = 16.26 years), family contextual factors associated with adolescents' parenting knowledge, and toddlers' (M age = 2.01 years) subsequent developmental outcomes. Data came from home interviews and direct child assessments. Adolescents both under- and over-estimated children's developmental timing, and showed differences in their knowledge of specific developmental domains. Instrumental support from mother figures was positively linked to adolescents' knowledge accuracy, whereas emotional support was negatively related to adolescents' knowledge confidence. Furthermore, whereas mother figures' autonomy-granting was positively linked to knowledge confidence, psychological control was associated with less accurate adolescent parenting knowledge. Toddlers of adolescents with more accurate knowledge showed positive developmental functioning. Intervention implications are discussed.

Developmental outcomes of toddlers of young Latina mothers: Cultural, family, and parenting factors

“…Although the level of decline was not large, the fact that it occurred over only six months portends clear developmental concerns for these young children. The level of decline and the overall level of functioning found in our sample are consistent with that observed in toddlers of different ethnic backgrounds on similar measures of cognitive and language abilities (Jahromi et al, 2014; Whitman et al, 2001). These findings corroborate the critical need to uncover family and parenting factors linked to development early in these children's lives.…”

“…These deficits have been observed in toddlers of different ethnic backgrounds (Jahromi, Guimond, Umaña-Taylor, Updegraff & Toomey, 2014; Whitman, et al, 2001), with children scoring up to one standard deviation below the population mean on standardized measures of cognitive functioning at 24 months. Nonetheless, few studies have examined parenting and family factors linked to these outcomes.…”

The influence of cultural orientation on associations between Puerto Rican adolescent mothers’ parenting and toddler compliance and defiance.

“…Variations in other behaviors mothers used alongside control may explain the culturally meaningful differences. High levels of control, alongside negative affect driven by impatience and anger, could be employed due to unrealistic expectations for child regulation, a difficulty that is frequently implicated in adolescent parenting (Jahromi et al, 2014). The control behaviors of mothers who endorse high levels of acculturation might be driven by an approach that is related more to individualistic practices or a result of frustration than the directive parenting techniques of traditional Latina mothers, who may emphasize control as a way to engender values of respect for and obedience toward family and authority (Guilamo-Ramos et al, 2007; Halgunseth et al, 2006).…”

“…The characteristics and contexts of adolescent mothers, compared to adult mothers, include risk factors such as poverty, single parenthood, lower parental education, depressive symptoms, decreased knowledge of child development, and changes in caregiving environments, all of which place them at a higher likelihood of employing behaviors that hinder their children’s development (Chaudhuri, Easterbrooks, & Davis, 2009; East, Chien, & Barber, 2012; Hans & Thullen, 2009; Jahromi, Guimond, Umaña-Taylor, Updegraff, & Toomey, 2014; Leadbeater & Bishop, 1994; Moore & Brooks-Gunn, 2002; Pogarsky, Thornberry, & Lizotte, 2006; Spieker, Larson, Lewis, Keller, & Gilchrist, 1999). Young Latina mothers face additional stressors, such as geographical distance from family members, acculturative stress, and discrimination (Howes, Guerra, & Zucker, 2007; Zeiders, Umaña-Taylor, Updegraff, & Jahromi, 2015).…”

Jordanian mothers' knowledge of infants' childrearing and developmental milestones

“…It was the concern of child psychologists during the 1980s and 1990s of the last century revealing information about expectations for children's behaviour and factors contributing to childrearing abilities and difficulties (Jahromi et al 2014;Stevens 1984). It was the concern of child psychologists during the 1980s and 1990s of the last century revealing information about expectations for children's behaviour and factors contributing to childrearing abilities and difficulties (Jahromi et al 2014;Stevens 1984).…”