Depression Among a Sample of First‐Time Adolescent and Adult Mothers

Abstract

PROBLEM: Little is known about the rates, correlates, and consequences of depression among a sample of first‐time mothers. METHODS: Four‐site prospective study of the first 3 years of life among first children born to first‐time mothers, including adolescent (N= 396), lower‐ (N= 169), and higher‐resource adult (N= 117). Mothers were administered the Beck Depression Inventory prenatally and 6 months postpartum. Measures of maternal and infant behaviors were taken at 8 months. FINDINGS: Adolescent mothers displayed higher prenatal and 6‐month rates of depression than lower‐ and higher‐resource adult mothers, with significantly more adolescent mothers “consistently” depressed at the two time points than lower‐ and higher‐resource adult mothers. Further, adolescent mothers were significantly more likely to become depressed after their babies were born than lower‐ or higher‐resource adult mothers. Depression was negatively related to parenting practices and babies' behavior. As depression increased, mothers scored less favorably in maternal warmth and sensitivity, contingent responsiveness, and general verbalness; children scored less favorably in warmth seeking toward their mothers. CONCLUSION: Findings signify the need for counseling and nurse‐based intervention and prevention services geared at preparing pregnant adolescents for motherhood.