The Role of Teen Mothers’ Support Relationships In Maintenance of Contraceptive Use

• Published in: Journal of pediatric & adolescent gynecology Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 35 - 40
• Main Authors: Quinn, D.A., MS, MLitt, Mitchell, S.J., PhD, Lewin, A., PsyD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; African Americans - psychology; Child; Contraception; Contraception Behavior - psychology; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Mother-Child Relations; Mothers - psychology; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Odds Ratio; Pediatrics; Poverty - psychology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Adolescence - prevention & control; Pregnancy in Adolescence - psychology; Social Support; Teen mothers; Time Factors; Teen mothers; Contraception; Social support
• ISSN: 1083-3188; 1873-4332
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2016.08.008

Abstract Study Objective To explore interpersonal factors associated with maintaining contraceptive use over time among urban, African American teen mothers. Design Longitudinal study, 2011-2015. Setting Six pediatric primary care sites in the same city, all of which primarily serve urban, low-income, African American families. Participants Teen mothers accessing health services for their child at one of the six study sites. Interventions The current study is a secondary data analysis of data that were collected as part of a patient-centered medical home model intervention, comparing a group of teen mothers and their children who were participants in the intervention to mother-child dyads who were enrolled in standard community-based pediatric primary care. Structured interviews were conducted with teen mothers at baseline/enrollment, when their children were, on average, 3 months old, and again 12 months later. Main Outcome Measures Maintenance of contraceptive use over time Results Teen mothers perceiving any tangible support from their own mothers were significantly less likely to maintain contraceptive use over time (AOR = .27). However, teens who perceived any emotional support from their own mothers were nearly four times more likely to maintain contraceptive use (AOR = 3.74). Teens who lived with their own mothers were more than five times more likely to maintain contraceptive use over time (AOR = 5.49). Conclusion To better understand contraceptive discontinuation and thus to prevent repeat pregnancies among teen mothers, it may be necessary to further examine the role of support relationships in teen mothers’ contraceptive decision-making. Secondary pregnancy prevention programs should include key support persons.