Support relationships and teen mothers’ school retention at one‐year postpartum

Abstract

Teen mothers face unique barriers to continuing education, making important the identification of key elements in their support systems that facilitate educational attainment. In this longitudinal quasi-experimental study, we investigate the unique role of different types and sources of support measured at baseline, from family and father of the baby, on teen mothers' return to school after childbirth.We analyze data of 102 urban, low-income African American teen mothers, retained over 12 months. Results show that teen mothers who received parental financial support soon after giving birth were over 5 times as likely to be in school or have graduated when their children were a year old. Additionally, remaining in a romantic relationship with the father of the baby was associated with reduced odds of returning to school, but only in the absence of an intervention program designed to support teen parent families . Findings highlight the unique importance of parental financial support, shortly after birth, on teen mothers' school retention and suggest the relevance of clinical staff in supporting teen mothers in couple relationships to continue their education.

Teen Mothers’ Family Support and Adult Identity in the Emerging Adulthood: Implications for Socioeconomic Attainment Later in Life

“…Given that most studies on parental support have focused on teen mothers' adolescence (Assini-Meytin et al, 2018;Bunting & McAuley, 2004;Leadbeater, 1996), additional studies are necessary. The changing landscape in the pathways into adulthood, with young adults relying on their parents for longer periods of time (Furstenberg, 2010), reinforces the need for further research on the role of parental support in the emerging adulthood, and its effect on teenage parents' socioeconomic attainment later in life.…”

“…Parental support may be a critical factor for positive socioeconomic attainment among teen parents, although studies have rarely compared the importance of emotional and financial support for teenage mothers in their transition to adulthood. Most studies on the topic have focused on investigating parental support while teen mothers are pregnant, or on being an adolescent parent (Assini-Meytin, Mitchell, & Lewin, 2018;Leadbeater, 1996). Support in this life stage is typically accompanied by conflict in the mother-daughter relationship (Bunting & McAuley, 2004).…”

Parental Experiences for Teenage Mothers Living in Poverty: Associations of Head Start

“…Furthermore, Rolfe (2008) studied 33 young mothers that gave birth before the age of 21 and found significant trends of resilience and growth among these mothers. Unfortunately, studies show teen mothers on average have lower social support (Assini-Meytin et al, 2018) and are less likely to use formal social services than older mothers (Angley et al, 2015; Leplatte et al, 2012). More specifically, Angley et al (2015) examined adolescent parents aged 14–21 and found that social support is associated with greater levels of parenting satisfaction.…”

Parental support influencing the timing of repeat pregnancy for adolescent mothers

“…However, social support may facilitate a positive outlook for adolescent mothers by alleviating stress and assisting with coping during their transition into parenthood (Devereux et al, 2009; Miller & Sollie, 1986). Notably, adolescent mothers who receive social support experience better psychological health as well as improved, educational, and parenting outcomes for both themselves and their child (Assini‐Meytin et al, 2018; Bunting & McAuley, 2004; Quinn et al, 2017; Sandfort & Hill, 1996; Solomon & Liefeld, 1998; Voight et al, 1996; Yardley, 2009). Although research examining social support as a protective factor against repeat pregnancies has been mixed (Maravilla et al, 2017; Rigsby et al, 1998), understanding the impact of social support from parents on interpregnancy timing can guide interventions to prevent unintended repeat pregnancies and ultimately decrease the rate of adolescent mothers' repeat births in the United States.…”