Promoting sensitivity and parenting competencies in teenage mothers

Relevant concepts of parenting emphasize biologically oriented behavioral tendencies as intuitive parenting that unconsciously guides interaction with the infant. They can be violated by risk factors or adverse life conditions and are to be perceived in parental problems to cope with the infants' needs and even in neglecting and maltreating behavioral displays. In particular high risk groups as teenage mothers are affected. Early and preventive intervention efforts promoting parent-child relationship seem to be successful to prevent maltreatment and later behavioral problems in the child. An attachment-oriented and video-based program for intervention with teenage mothers is described. Chances and limits of promoting parent-child attachment in teenage mothers are discussed.