| Abstract: | ![]()
This exploratory study focuses on the association between social support and adolescents' responses to early motherhood. Subjects are 64 Black adolescent mothers in three groups: high school attenders, participants in the Baltimore City Public Schools Infant Parent Program and dropouts from school. Structured interviews are used to assess the young mothers' emotional stress as well as the amounts, sources, and kinds of support available. Self esteem and sense of control were assessed via standardized instruments. Respondents averaged 16.27 years of age when their children were born; at the time of the interview, ages of the mothers ranged form 14 to 19 years. 50.7% had completed school or were enrolled; 66% were working, typically in part time, work study type programs. Of the heads of their households, 40.3% were employed or receiving Social Services payments, 7.7% held technical jobs with the majority in the skilled or unskilled blue collar category. The children ranged in age from 2 months to 2 years. A major finding was that support from individuals is related to a decrease in stress and an increase in self esteem. The results are discussed in relation to the growing body of research documenting the impact of such support on maternal role performance. |
