Mothers’ Perceptions of Barriers, Parenting Alliance, and Adolescent Fathers’ Engagement With their Children*

Abstract

The current study utilized a social exchange perspective to examine relations among 74 adolescent mothers' perceptions of barriers to father engagement, parenting alliance strength, and nonresident fathers' engagement in caregiving and nurturing activities with their children. Even after accounting for mothers' perceptions of barrier strength, mothers who viewed the parenting alliance as strong also perceived fathers as more engaged in caregiving activities. A more complex pattern emerged for mothers' perceptions of father engagement in nurturing activities, such that relations between barrier strength and fathers' nurturing depended on the parents' relationship status and parenting alliance strength. Our findings suggest the importance of helping young parents strengthen their coparenting relationship in order to foster fathers' engagement with their children.

Adolescent Motherhood, Depression, and Delinquency

“…Previous studies have examined the lack of involvement of teen fathers in the child rearing process, linking many challenges (i.e., poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and poor relationship skills) faced by teen fathers to their lack of involvement in their child's life (Futris and Schoppe-Sullivan 2007;Sheftall et al, 2010). Research shows that many teen fathers do not see their child regularly or provide consistent help for household expenses (Rhein et al, 1997).…”

“…Despite a 30 percent decrease in adolescent pregnancies since the early 1990s, teen parenting has remained a consistent social problem in the United States (Futris and Schoppe-Sullivan, 2007;Klein, 2005;Sheftall et al, 2010). For example, nearly a million teens between the ages of 15 to 19 become pregnant annually (Birkeland et al, 2005;Hotz, McElroy and Sanders, 1997;McDonell et al, 2007;Spivak and Weitzman, 1987).…”

“…Research has shown that the responsibilities of childbearing cause problems psychologically, socially, economically, and academically among adolescent mothers (Furstenberg et al, 1989;Futris and Schoppe-Sullivan, 2007;Uno et al, 1998;WebsterStattron, 1990). …”

“…For example, teen mothers experience an increase in stress associated with financial, academic, and psychological deficits (e.g., depression). Compared to males and non-parents, teen mothers are at greater risk for depression as a result of these strains (Barth and Schinke, 1984;Birkeland et al, 2005;Frustenberg et al, 1989;Futris and Schoppe-Sullivan, 2007;Sigfusdottir, Farkas, and Silver, 2004). Delinquency is one way in which individuals who experience negative emotional states like depression may cope with strain (Agnew, 1992).…”

Resiliência e apoio social de mães adolescentes em vulnerabilidade social

“…Alguns estudos detectaram que a satisfação apresentada pela mãe adolescente é maior quando ela está envolvida afetivamente com o pai do bebê e dele recebe apoio emocional e econômico (Canavarro e Pedrosa 2012;Crockenberg, 1987;Futris, Schoppe-Sullivan, 2007). Considerando que a maior parte das mães adolescentes desta pesquisa estavam em uma união estável ou casadas, esse fato pode ter contribuído para uma alta pontuação no fator 1, "Resolução de ações e valores".…”