TY - JOUR
T1 - Life after teenage childbearing
T2 - A long-term view on teenage mothers’ wellbeing
AU - van Tintelen, Amke M.G.
AU - Bolt, Sophie H.
AU - Dalmijn, Eline
AU - Jansen, Danielle E.M.C.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
©, Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Background: This study aims to address the lack of information about the long-term wellbeing of (former) teenage mothers in the Netherlands. It provides data which policymakers can use to ensure that support programmesmeet the needs of teenage mothers.Methods: Women who had given birth before the age of twenty were recruited online by Fiom, expertise centre on unintended pregnancy (December 2018–February 2019; N = 248). Survey data were obtained to assess how they perceived their wellbeing, employment, education, housing, and social support. Respondents were divided into three groups: 0–3 years after teenage childbearing (short term), 4–12 years (medium term), >12 years (long term). Results were analysed using univariate and bivariate descriptions in SPSS.Results: Almost 80% of respondents reported that they were doing well and were satisfied with their lives, 63% had a job, and 17% were students. Short-term mothers worked fewer hours per week, received more benefits, and were less satisfied with their living conditions compared to medium- and long-term mothers. 36% Of the respondents smoked cigarettes. Most support was given by family (83%), mainly by female relatives. About 24% received formal support from social workers or institutions.Conclusions: Respondents, on average, reported they were doing well and were satisfied with their lives, in both the short and long term. These results suggest that as the years pass, teenage mothers overcome difficulties. Regarding income and housing, however, short-term mothers were in a less favourable position. Tailored interventions are recommended to address smoking among (former) teenage mothers.
AB - Background: This study aims to address the lack of information about the long-term wellbeing of (former) teenage mothers in the Netherlands. It provides data which policymakers can use to ensure that support programmesmeet the needs of teenage mothers.Methods: Women who had given birth before the age of twenty were recruited online by Fiom, expertise centre on unintended pregnancy (December 2018–February 2019; N = 248). Survey data were obtained to assess how they perceived their wellbeing, employment, education, housing, and social support. Respondents were divided into three groups: 0–3 years after teenage childbearing (short term), 4–12 years (medium term), >12 years (long term). Results were analysed using univariate and bivariate descriptions in SPSS.Results: Almost 80% of respondents reported that they were doing well and were satisfied with their lives, 63% had a job, and 17% were students. Short-term mothers worked fewer hours per week, received more benefits, and were less satisfied with their living conditions compared to medium- and long-term mothers. 36% Of the respondents smoked cigarettes. Most support was given by family (83%), mainly by female relatives. About 24% received formal support from social workers or institutions.Conclusions: Respondents, on average, reported they were doing well and were satisfied with their lives, in both the short and long term. These results suggest that as the years pass, teenage mothers overcome difficulties. Regarding income and housing, however, short-term mothers were in a less favourable position. Tailored interventions are recommended to address smoking among (former) teenage mothers.
KW - smoking
KW - social support
KW - teenage childbearing
KW - Teenage mothers
KW - wellbeing
U2 - 10.1080/02646838.2021.2013456
DO - 10.1080/02646838.2021.2013456
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85122145031
SN - 0264-6838
VL - 41
SP - 470
EP - 484
JO - Journal of reproductive and infant psychology
JF - Journal of reproductive and infant psychology
IS - 4
ER -