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Background: Early marriage and motherhood have long been prevalent in India, with 44.5% of women aged 20–24 reporting marriage before 18 in NFHS 3 (2005–2006), dropping to 26.8% in NFHS 4 (2015–2016). Early motherhood has also seen a significant decline, with first births by age 18 decreasing from 34.3% in NFHS I to 8.2% in NFHS V. Despite these improvements, significant regional disparities persist due to social, normative, and legal factors. This study investigates the spatial heterogeneity of early marriage and motherhood across Indian districts, offering a multilevel analysis that reveals critical local variations often obscured at broader levels. Understanding these patterns is crucial for targeted policy interventions and addressing the root causes of early marriage and motherhood. Methods: Utilizing data from the fifth round of National Family Health Survey, this study employs multilevel logistic regression and geospatial analysis to assess the determinants and spatial distribution of early marriage and early motherhood among ever-married women in India. The analysis incorporates individual, household, and community-level variables, complemented by spatial analysis techniques, including Empirical Bayes Bivariate Moran's I values and LISA cluster maps, to identify regional patterns and hotspots. Results: This study revealed that educational attainment emerged as a critical determinant, with uneducated women significantly more likely to marry early. Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and limited mass media exposure, also heightened the risk of early marriage and motherhood. Caste and religion were significantly associated with these events, with marginalized groups facing higher prevalence. Spatial analysis revealed significant geographic disparities, with central and eastern regions showing higher concentrations of early marriage and motherhood. District-level characteristics and the influence of neighboring districts were also significant, highlighting the importance of localized interventions. Conclusions: The findings underscore the critical role of education, economic empowerment, and media literacy in mitigating early marriage and motherhood risks. The study calls for multi-sectoral interventions in geographical hotspots to break the cycle of early family formation and promote reproductive health. Policies enhancing educational opportunities, addressing economic disadvantages, and considering district-specific factors are essential. Comprehensive strategies are necessary to empower women, foster reproductive health, and address the multifaceted nature of early marriage and motherhood in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Early marriage and motherhood have long been prevalent in India, with 44.5% of women aged 20–24 reporting marriage before 18 in NFHS 3 (2005–2006), dropping to 26.8% in NFHS 4 (2015–2016). Early motherhood has also seen a significant decline, with first births by age 18 decreasing from 34.3% in NFHS I to 8.2% in NFHS V. Despite these improvements, significant regional disparities persist due to social, normative, and legal factors. This study investigates the spatial heterogeneity of early marriage and motherhood across Indian districts, offering a multilevel analysis that reveals critical local variations often obscured at broader levels. Understanding these patterns is crucial for targeted policy interventions and addressing the root causes of early marriage and motherhood. Methods Utilizing data from the fifth round of National Family Health Survey, this study employs multilevel logistic regression and geospatial analysis to assess the determinants and spatial distribution of early marriage and early motherhood among ever-married women in India. The analysis incorporates individual, household, and community-level variables, complemented by spatial analysis techniques, including Empirical Bayes Bivariate Moran’s I values and LISA cluster maps, to identify regional patterns and hotspots. Results This study revealed that educational attainment emerged as a critical determinant, with uneducated women significantly more likely to marry early. Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and limited mass media exposure, also heightened the risk of early marriage and motherhood. Caste and religion were significantly associated with these events, with marginalized groups facing higher prevalence. Spatial analysis revealed significant geographic disparities, with central and eastern regions showing higher concentrations of early marriage and motherhood. District-level characteristics and the influence of neighboring districts were also significant, highlighting the importance of localized interventions. Conclusions The findings underscore the critical role of education, economic empowerment, and media literacy in mitigating early marriage and motherhood risks. The study calls for multi-sectoral interventions in geographical hotspots to break the cycle of early family formation and promote reproductive health. Policies enhancing educational opportunities, addressing economic disadvantages, and considering district-specific factors are essential. Comprehensive strategies are necessary to empower women, foster reproductive health, and address the multifaceted nature of early marriage and motherhood in India.

There has been an increase in the cases of early marriage and motherhood in Turkey, especially in the post-migration process. The aim of this study was to examine the motherhood experiences of Syrian women who experienced adolescence motherhood. Within the scope of this purpose, focus group interviews were conducted with 11 Syrian women who applied to the Bağcılar (Istanbul) Community Center, became mothers between the ages of 14-17, and are currently between the ages of 26-54. As a data collection tool, a semi-structured interview form created by the researchers was used. This form consists of 15 open-ended questions. The interviews were analyzed with interpretive phenomenology, which is one of the qualitative research methods. As a result of the analysis, early marriage experiences, encouragement to have children, deficiency of knowledge in childcare, difficulties in early motherhood, and power sources emerged as main themes. These themes were discussed in the light of the literature, and suggestions and limitations were stated.

Background Child marriage, defined as marriage under the age of 18 years, remains pervasive in India. Global evidence documents a negative association between child marriage and women's reproductive and sexual health outcomes; however, its relationship with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remains underexplored. Methods We utilize biomarkers and self-reported data from the nationally representative National Family and Health Survey 4 (2015–2016) to examine the associations between child marriage and hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and thyroid disorder among currently married women (N  = 421 107). We use regression models adjusted for a range of demographic and socio-economic controls to assess the association between child marriage and NCDs among women in India. We further assess whether and to what extent these relationships are mediated by early motherhood using the Karlson, Holm and Breen method of decomposition. Results Child marriage was associated with hypertension [adjusted odds ratio 1.20 (95% CI: 1.17–1.24)], diabetes [1.29 (1.22–1.37)], heart disease [1.27 (1.18–1.36)], asthma [1.19 (1.11–1.28)] and thyroid disorder [1.10 (1.02–1.18)]. Early motherhood also increased the risk of NCDs among women. Furthermore, it emerged as a pathway linking child marriage with hypertension, diabetes and heart disease; however, it provided a partial explanation for the disadvantage associated with child marriages. Conclusions Child marriage emerges as a risk factor for NCDs among women in India. Health systems need to recognize the enduring influence of child marriages on women's health and ensure early detection and effective treatment of NCDs for this vulnerable group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using panel data from India, this paper investigates the effect of early maternal age on offspring human capital, contributing to the scarce evidence on this phenomenon, especially in the context of a developing country. The analysis relies on mother fixed effects to allow for unobserved differences between mothers and employs a variety of empirical strategies to address remaining sibling-specific concerns. Our results indicate that children born to young mothers are shorter for their age, with stronger effects for girls born to very young mothers. We also find some evidence suggesting that children born to very young mothers perform worse in math. By exploring the evolution of effects over time for the first time in the literature, we find that the height effect weakens as children age. Further analysis suggests both biological and behavioral factors as transmission channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The improvement of maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes is an important part of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). MCH remains an important issue globally as the SDGs have not yet been achieved in most countries. Young women in universities are likely to experience unintended pregnancy due to risky sexual behaviors in tertiary institutions which is characterized by lack of condom and/or contraceptive use and coercion. Pregnant young women in an academic environment are susceptible to stressors associated with unintended pregnancy and academic demands of universities. However, very little is known about the stress and coping among young people in tertiary institutions who get pregnant during the course of their studies and choose to keep the pregnancy. Methods Participants were purposively selected among pregnant students and those in the puerperal period at the time of the study. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken to explore the experiences of pregnancy and early motherhood, with particular focus on the various stressors experienced and possible coping strategies employed by students. The data were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using thematic analysis. Results The findings show that pregnancy and early motherhood was an experience that came with a lot of stress emanating from fear of parents’ reactions, academic pressure, financial constraints, relationship problems with male partners and experiences of social stigma. Participants used emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies to deal with the stressors confronting them during and after their pregnancy. Conclusion The experiences of pregnant students are multifaceted and generally characterised by financial crisis, academic challenges, shame, strenuous relationships and transitioning into a new identity. A multipronged approach to healthcare for pregnant students that focus on comprehensive antenatal services, health education, health promotion, psychosocial interventions including academic counselling will have positive outcomes for young mothers and their children.

Giving birth during adolescence is linked to a variety of negative outcomes, including poor health and well-being. Girls who have been displaced by conflict are at increased risk for becoming young mothers. While prevalence rates and health outcomes have been documented, rarely have the complex personal narratives of early motherhood been examined from the perspectives of mothers themselves, particularly in the Global South. This study relies on in-depth, inductive, narrative analysis of qualitative interviews with 67 young mothers and 10 relatives in South Sudan and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) who had been displaced by conflict. This study provides deep insights into the contributing circumstances and consequences of young motherhood from sexual and reproductive health and well-being perspectives, with additional insights on mothering in humanitarian crisis. • Early motherhood has both positive and negative impacts on well-being. • Young mothers in displacement who are widowed or divorced are particularly vulnerable. • Displacement impacts young mother's health and well-being. • Early pregnancy in South Sudan is related to no knowledge of/access to contraception. • Early marriage by force or choice drives early pregnancy in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The improvement of maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes is an important part of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). MCH remains an important issue globally as the SDGs have not yet been achieved in most countries. Young women in universities are likely to experience unintended pregnancy due to risky sexual behaviors in tertiary institutions which is characterized by lack of condom and/or contraceptive use and coercion. Pregnant young women in an academic environment are susceptible to stressors associated with unintended pregnancy and academic demands of universities. However, very little is known about the stress and coping among young people in tertiary institutions who get pregnant during the course of their studies and choose to keep the pregnancy.Methods: Participants were purposively selected among pregnant students and those in the puerperal period at the time of the study. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken to explore the experiences of pregnancy and early motherhood, with particular focus on the various stressors experienced and possible coping strategies employed by students. The data were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using thematic analysis.Results: The findings show that pregnancy and early motherhood was an experience that came with a lot of stress emanating from fear of parents' reactions, academic pressure, financial constraints, relationship problems with male partners and experiences of social stigma. Participants used emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies to deal with the stressors confronting them during and after their pregnancy.Conclusion: The experiences of pregnant students are multifaceted and generally characterised by financial crisis, academic challenges, shame, strenuous relationships and transitioning into a new identity. A multipronged approach to healthcare for pregnant students that focus on comprehensive antenatal services, health education, health promotion, psychosocial interventions including academic counselling will have positive outcomes for young mothers and their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid repeat pregnancy (RRP) often occurs in teenage and young mothers. Mothers with a history of RRP are more likely to experience high stress increasing their risk of child maltreatment. Despite these challenges, some mothers can continue to cope adaptively. Social support may play a role in empowering these mothers to overcome the childbearing difficulties. Although the protective effects of social support are well recognized, there has been little evidence on the relative importance of sources of support. For example, whether support from family and friends is equally important in relieving parenting stress remains unanswered. RRP, a social phenomenon encompassing various adverse living and parenting issues, provides an ideal research context to investigate the role of family and friends in preventing child maltreatment. This study examined whether family cohesion and friends' support moderated the association between RRP and child maltreatment in young mothers. We recruited 392 Chinese teenage and young mothers from a population-based integrated young mothers supporting program in Hong Kong. Questionnaires on pregnancy history, family cohesion, social support, and risk of child maltreatment were administered. Moderation analysis was conducted to examine the effect of RRP on child maltreatment as a function of family cohesion or friend support. Results showed that RRP was associated with a higher risk of child neglect (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.72, p <.05) and physical maltreatment (aOR = 1.91, p <.01), and that family cohesion was more important than friend support in mitigating the risk of child maltreatment for mothers with a history of RRP. Our findings suggest that interventions for young mothers, particularly those with a history of RRP, should be family-based so the whole family can be empowered to tackle the childrearing burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Child development and life outcomes are partly linked to prenatal and maternal conditions such as mother’s age at birth. Thus, the issue of teenage motherhood has attracted significant concern from researchers and policymakers because of its potential implications for children. The existing literature on effects of teenage motherhood on children is typically limited to weight at childbirth. Other studies are mainly descriptive in nature and do not account for selection bias associated with teenage mothers and their deprived environment resulting in their children also being brought up in similar environment. Aim: This article examined the effects of teenage motherhood on child outcomes, specifically on children’s education, economic well-being, reported health status and body mass index (BMI). Setting: Children (0–14 years) of teenage mothers (less than 20 years at first birth) in National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS) data constitute the subjects under investigation in this study. Methods: Using NIDS data, the study applied pooled regression, random effects model and propensity score matching (PSM) technique to examine the effect of teenage motherhood on child outcomes. Results: The study confirms that the PSM method is more robust to selection bias than pooled regression and random effect techniques. The findings from this study reveal that teenage motherhood significantly increases child grade repetition and economic dependency. However, teenage motherhood association with child health and BMI is found to be insignificant. Conclusions: Teenage motherhood has far-reaching effects on children outcomes, thus proactive, reactive and post-active policies and programmes focusing on minimising the effect of teenage motherhood and enhancing children’s welfare are recommended.

Purpose: Using Schlossberg's Transition Theory, this study explored the lived experiences of pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers coping strategies during their transition to motherhood. Methods: Based on a phenomenological perspective, this qualitative study used in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) to answer the research aim. The process of data gathering included 8 FGDs and 12 IDIs held with adolescent mothers and pregnant adolescents. Audio recordings were transcribed and imported into MAXQDA 2018 for analysis. Results: Applying the interpretative phenomenologial analysis (IPA), four key themes emerged. This included: news of pregnancy; adolescent motherhood; social support and coping strategies. The findings display female adolescents' expressions of some of the negative aspects of motherhood they have been confronted with that have affected their lives. The dominant societal challenges posited by the adolescents included coping with economic and financial constraints, opting for unsafe abortion to reduce stigma associated with unplanned pregnancy, and managing the extra responsibility of taking care of the baby and the challenge of going back to school after delivery. Conclusion: There is the need to build social capital among community members regarding their support to improve the psychosocial well-being of adolescents during early motherhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The body image, exercise relationship in postpartum has not been well researched. • Body image can improve, worsen or remain unchanged during postpartum. • The body image-exercise relationship is complex and can be beneficial or damaging. • Positive body image is related to healthful exercise in mothers. • Appropriate support is essential to help early mothers return to healthful exercise. The relationship between body image and exercise in early motherhood is an important yet understudied determinant of mother and infant wellbeing. To address this, we report on a qualitative study of early mothers' lived experiences of the relationship between body image and exercise in the first five years post-birth. Twenty-one mothers (0–5 years postpartum) completed individual, semi-structured online/phone interviews (M interview time =47.25 min), to elicit narratives about peripartum body image and its relationship with exercise. Thematic analysis was conducted according to the Braun and Clarke framework. Three key themes, and several subthemes, were identified: 1.body image in early motherhood is diverse, dynamic and individual, 2.postpartum exercise forms part of early motherhood adjustment, and 3.body image and exercise form an important, intricate relationship in early motherhood. Women's narratives indicated three body image/exercise patterns, each characterised by different behaviours and motivations. Mothers who reported exercising, or avoiding exercising, for reasons related to body dissatisfaction appeared at greatest risk of negative outcomes from body-related distress and maladaptive exercise patterns. Conversely, mothers reporting higher body appreciation described more adaptive exercise behaviours. This research provides important information for the development of interventions to support positive body image and healthful exercise in early motherhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Using Schlossberg’s Transition Theory, this study explored the lived experiences of pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers coping strategies during their transition to motherhood. Methods: Based on a phenomenological perspective, this qualitative study used in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) to answer the research aim. The process of data gathering included 8 FGDs and 12 IDIs held with adolescent mothers and pregnant adolescents. Audio recordings were transcribed and imported into MAXQDA 2018 for analysis. Results: Applying the interpretative phenomenologial analysis (IPA), four key themes emerged. This included: news of pregnancy; adolescent motherhood; social support and coping strategies. The findings display female adolescents’ expressions of some of the negative aspects of motherhood they have been confronted with that have affected their lives. The dominant societal challenges posited by the adolescents included coping with economic and financial constraints, opting for unsafe abortion to reduce stigma associated with unplanned pregnancy, and managing the extra responsibility of taking care of the baby and the challenge of going back to school after delivery. Conclusion: There is the need to build social capital among community members regarding their support to improve the psychosocial well-being of adolescents during early motherhood.

In this paper, I explore kinship and other networks of support for young mothers and their babies after an unintended, ex-nuptial pregnancy in a resource-poor urban setting. I draw on in-depth interviews conducted with 30 young mothers aged 18 to 20 years old and follow up interviews conducted with 9 of them. The interviews focused on three main areas: pregnancy and birth, education and income generation, and support networks. I present three cases that reflect variability in support and kinship network patterns. I use genograms and kinship network maps to identify sources of support and kinship networks within and outside households. Paying attention to the location and distribution of networks, I engage with the role of kinship capital and other forms of support in mitigating some of the negative consequences of early, unplanned motherhood. I show how young mothers draw on support from kinship networks which in turn adapt and reconfigure to provide support, allowing young mothers to exercise agency in relation to aspirations around educational attainment and income generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The current study aims to better understand the predictors of flourishing, as well as the predictors of distress, among first-time Australian mothers in their teens and early 20s in the first year postpartum. Background: Past research has linked early motherhood with poor outcomes for mother and baby. However, other research has demonstrated that disadvantage often precedes early motherhood, rather than results from it, and there has been a consistent body of qualitative research highlighting positive outcomes for young mothers. In this paper, we investigate who is doing well amongst a sample of young mothers. Methods: Through quantitative analysis of survey data of 86 women aged 16–24 years who had transitioned to motherhood in the past 12 months, we investigate the predictors of flourishing, along with postnatal distress. Results: Our findings suggest that this sample of women was doing well, with relatively high scores on flourishing and low scores on distress. As expected, the two constructs were negatively correlated. Conclusion: Whilst self-esteem was a consistent predictor of both distress and flourishing, and acted as a mediating factor, this research also showed that there are unique and independent predictors for distress and flourishing, which can be used to inform tailored programs for young mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Africa, sexual and reproductive health services aim to facilitate access to and utilisation of care to young people. We draw on narrative interviews with 45 young mothers and six health care providers delivering sexual and reproductive health services at an urban health centre, to understand how young mothers experienced services in relation to ante- and post-natal care, including termination services. Although health care providers emphasised what they considered young women's 'ignorance' and 'irresponsibility' as central to early and unintended pregnancy; they also expressed their sympathy and concern. In a resource-limited health care setting, with health system inefficiencies and lack of specialised training, there was little opportunity to deliver high-quality care to young women. We draw attention to the need to prioritise the training of health care providers to expand early pregnancy testing and termination services and to deliver patient-centred family planning services to young women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood are associated with poor social and physical outcomes. This study explored the experiences of marriage and motherhood among Jordanian young women. A descriptive qualitative design was employed. Participants (n = 15, age 15-37 years) who had experienced adolescent marriage and motherhood and who lived in eastern Amman, the capital of Jordan, were selected via snowball sampling. Data were collected by tape-recorded face-to-face interviews and analysed thematically. Five themes were identified: lost opportunities for personal development, learning to be submissive and indecisive, uncertainty toward cultural norms, ambivalent feelings toward a maternal role and empowering oneself to face life demands. The findings indicate that the experience of marriage and motherhood among Jordanian adolescents was mostly negative; they felt that they had been deprived of their rights, respect and the experience of being a young person. Additionally, they felt that the transition into motherhood was very difficult, and that they were prematurely forced into adult social roles and responsibilities, which caused them to experience numerous challenges. Adolescent mothers are a vulnerable group that should be better targeted by prevention and intervention measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pathway from teen motherhood to later life outcomes has received considerable attention in both research and political agenda. Very few studies have however, looked beyond educational and economic outcomes.Data source and methods: This paper uses pooled data from four waves of National Income Dynamic Study (NIDS) survey collected from 2008-2014 in South Africa to investigate the impacts of early motherhood on mothers’ later life outcomes using propensity score matching and endogenous treatment techniques.Results: The study reveals that teen motherhood reduces women’s educational attainment (by -5.2years), economic well-being (-19.9%), psychological well-being (by increasing depression score by 5.2) and life satisfaction (by -1.24) each at 0.1% significance level.Conclusions: Teen motherhood has significant negative effects on women’s education, economic well-being, psychological well-being and life satisfaction but insignificant effect on health related outcomes. We recommend multi-sectoral policy intervention to minimize teenage pregnancy and manage the adverse consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early motherhood is a major health challenge in most developing countries. The aim of this study was to explore Iranian mothers' experiences of the outcomes of early motherhood. This qualitative study was done using the conventional inductive content analysis approach. A purposive sample of 18 Iranian mothers, with the experience of early motherhood, was recruited with maximum variation in terms of their age at their first pregnancy, their children's age, place of residence, and financial status. Data collection was done via in-depth semistructured interviews and continued up to data saturation. The MAXQDA software (v. 10.0) was employed for handling the data. Iranian mothers' experiences of the outcomes of early motherhood came into two main categories that were named "realization of the childhood dream of adulthood" and "heavy burden of adulthood on the small shoulders of childhood," The four subcategories of the first category were the acceleration of intellectual and mental maturation, strengthening of family relationships, developing a strong identity, and closer companionship with the child. The second main category also included four subcategories, namely, experiencing numerous difficulties, threats to mothers' physical and mental health, threats to children's health, and missing opportunities. Early motherhood is not merely a negative experience; rather it is also associated with different positive outcomes. Healthcare providers need to provide high-quality prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal care services to adolescent mothers and use available opportunities to strongly support them and their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of early motherhood is comprehensively investigated; its historical and demographic features, social and psycho–physiological aspects of unpreparedness to motherhood in adolescence are marked. Statistical information on adolescent fertility rate, extra–marital births, maternal and infant mortality, mental illness and HIV-infection are analyzed. Social immaturity (inability to fulfill the social role of the mother in adolescence, to be responsibility for the child), which is marked by the infantile position, the anxiety in teenagers, the lack of formation of the mother's competence, the hierarchy of value orientations, models of parental behavior is characterized. Conclusions on the need to provide social support for the motherhood of teenage girls, which requires, on the one hand, the creation of conditions for the mental, emotional and personal development of the teenage mother, and, on the other hand, ensuring the full development of the child through the formation of adequate adaptation mechanisms of the new social role of the young mother are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Researchers have shown that being a daughter of a teenage mother is a risk factor regarding the possibility of having early, unprotected sexual intercourse and of falling pregnant. The experiences of young mothers in such situations and the aspects of intergenerational transmission in the mother–daughter relationship have not been well investigated. Objectives This study analyses the experience of motherhood in young mothers (18–20 years at the time of the interview/15–16 at the time of their pregnancy) who are daughters of teen mothers themselves from the psychodynamic perspective of intergenerational transmission. Methods Six young mothers from Southern Italy were selected and interviewed. A semi-structured interview was used to explore the early experience of pregnancy and motherhood and their relationship with their own mothers. The interviews were analysed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results Five superordinate themes emerged: I didn't want, I didn't see and I didn't feel ; Adolescence? I suddenly became a mother ; History repeats itself again and again ; Confused Spaces and How difficult is coming into the world? Conclusion Adolescent mothers, who themselves are daughters of teen mothers, seem to have difficulty in representing the meanings associated with their experience of pregnancy and motherhood. A lack of narrative transmission of the experience of pregnancy from mothers to daughters emerged. The implications for research and social policies will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El artículo contiene el análisis y la reflexión sobre los discursos de profesionales de la salud que trabajan en la asistencia y acompañamiento de adolescentes embarazadas y madres, usuarias de un centro de salud ubicado en la ciudad de Montevideo. El estudio se enmarcó dentro del enfoque cualitativo y fue de corte transversal. La muestra fue intencionada e incluyó a 10 operadores de la salud. De acuerdo al análisis de contenido de las entrevistas realizadas, se intentó caracterizar y comprender el componente intersubjetivo general conformado a partir del encuentro asistencial entre el profesional de la salud y la adolescente. La información brindada por los participantes permitió, además, elaborar una serie de sugerencias que podrían beneficiar el entramado vincular entre ambos, siendo éste, el escenario donde se juega el logro de los desafíos propuestos por el modelo de atención integral de salud para adolescentes.

Background: Many women in countries in the global North access digital media information sources during pregnancy and the early years of motherhood. These include websites, blogs, online discussion forums, apps and social media platforms. Little previous research has sought to investigate in detail how women use the diverse range of digital media now available to them and what types of information they value. A qualitative study using focus groups was conducted to address these issues.Methods: Four focus groups were held in Sydney, Australia, including a total of 36 women who were either pregnant or had given birth in the previous three years. The participants were asked to talk about the types of digital media they used for pregnancy and parenting purposes, why they used them and in what ways they found them useful or helpful (or not). Group discussions were transcribed and thematically analysed, identifying the dominant information characteristics identified by women as valuable and useful.Results: Nine characteristics emerged from the focus group discussions as most important to women: information that was: 1) immediate; 2) regular; 3) detailed; 4) entertaining; 5) customised; 6) practical; 7) professional; 8) reassuring; and 9) unbiased. These characteristics were valued for different purposes and needs. Digital media provided women with details when they most needed them or at times when they had opportunities to access them. The study showed that women value apps or digital platforms that are multi-functional. The findings revealed the importance of using digital information for establishing and maintaining social connections and intimate relationships with other mothers. However, participants also highly valued expert advice and expressed the desire for greater and more ready access to information and support offered by healthcare professionals.Conclusions: Pregnant women and those with young children place a high value on the information and support they receive from and sharing using online sources and apps. They are accustomed to ready and immediate access to information using digital technologies and want better access to that offered by professionals. Recognising and finding ways to meet these needs should be included in planning healthcare provision and support for this group. Further research with women from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and non-urban locations is required to identify whether they have different information needs and values from the women who were included in the study reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Substance-abusing pregnant and parenting women are considered one of the most challenging, but important, target groups for developing early parenting interventions. Some valuable efforts to develop such interventions have been made in the organizational sector in Finland. However, there is a great need for new ways of work that would simultaneously concentrate in substance-abuse treatment and enhance parenting in public healthcare settings. The present article describes the background, content, and protocol of a new prenatal intervention developed for substance-abusing pregnant women in a hospital setting in public healthcare. The intervention includes two new elements and pathways aimed to enhance the mothers' curiosity toward her developing child and provide motivation to stay abstinent from substance use. The pathways are interactive ultrasound consultation and a new pregnancy diary, both using a parental mentalization focus. The intervention elements, experiences from running the intervention, evaluation protocol, and general characteristics of the study sample gained ( n = 90) are described and discussed. Two case vignettes from the study sample are presented, and the applicability of this prenatal work with other groups and settings is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen Este estudio estima la penalidad que se presenta en los ingresos laborales de los padres que tuvieron sus hijos a edad temprana, antes de los 21 años, en relación con aquellos que postergan su paternidad. Para corregir los problemas de endogeneidad se usan técnicas de correspondencia (propensity score matching) y el método de Heckman. Los resultados sugieren que los padres a edad temprana tienen una penalidad del 11,7% en sus ingresos por hora. Los impactos son mayores en magnitud para las mujeres (12,7%) que para los hombres (5,3%), y los canales de transmisión son heterogéneos según sexo. La paternidad temprana se produce en un momento crítico del ciclo de vida, donde aumenta la probabilidad de interrumpir eventos importantes en la formación de capital humano, y produce cambios en la forma en que los padres jóvenes se vinculan al mercado laboral como consecuencia del cuidado y del mantenimiento económico del niño. This paper estimates the penalty that occurs in the earnings of parents who had their children at an early age, before 21 years, compared to those who delay parenthood. To correct endogeneity problems matching techniques (propensity score matching) and the Heckman method are used. The results suggest that parents at an early age have a penalty of 11.7% in their income per hour are used. The impacts are greater in magnitude for women (12.7%) than for men (5.3%) and the transmission channels are heterogeneous by sex. Early parenthood comes at a critical time in the life cycle, which increases the probability of interrupting major events in the formation of human capital and produces changes in the way young parents get into the labor market as a result of care and financial support of the child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores first-time mothers’ readiness to return to paid work at approximately 18 weeks postpartum. In particular, it explores how aspects of one’s workplace, home, community, baby and self shape readiness to return to work and how levels of adjustment to early motherhood relate to levels of readiness to return to work. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 26 first-time mothers at approximately 18 weeks postpartum. Overall, participants demonstrated a lack of self-perceived readiness to return to work even though they demonstrated a high level of self-perceived adjustment to early motherhood. The lack of readiness to return to work was largely affected by baby and individual factors such as the baby’s developmental stage and women’s wish to spend more time with their baby. This evidence raises issues about whether 18 weeks of Parental Leave Pay is enough to ensure first-time mothers’ readiness to return to work. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Population level shifts in the timing of parenting onset and family composition have been well documented. However, the impacts of these changes on the life course experiences of high risk, teen and younger mothers remain poorly understood. To address this issue, this paper examined intergenerational changes in the family formation and parenting experiences of teen and younger mothers who gave birth in the 1970s and the 2000s (G2, N = 108). The study sample consisted of two generations of early parenting women studied as part of the Christchurch Health and Development Study in New Zealand. Early motherhood (<25 years) was defined relative to concurrent national childbirth data. Results showed that contemporary young mothers (G2) were subject to greater parental, housing and school instability during their childhood years than early parenting women of their mothers' generation (G1). These risks persisted following their transition to motherhood, with G2 mothers being at increased risk of non-marital childbearing (65 vs. 11%), single motherhood (38 vs. 21%) and welfare dependence (37 vs. 19%) despite gains in educational achievement (36 vs. 18% tertiary qualified). Further examination of the family circumstances and parenting practices of contemporary G2 mothers showed that about half were working in unskilled or part time employment, with many experiencing a range of financial problems (13-40%). Breastfeeding (89%) and infant immunization (92%) were common, but one in four G2 women were exposing their children to passive cigarette smoke, physical punishment (82%) and abuse (14%). These findings provide support for secular changes in the context of early motherhood, with contemporary young mothers raising their children in family contexts characterized by higher levels of psychosocial adversity than the previous generation of early parenting women. Such findings raise significant concerns for the health and wellbeing of these young mothers and their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The social forms of the post-modern family, which coexist in a society marked by social mobility and female labor force, generate serious inequalities of chances for children, which try in an inadequate way to fill the gap left by the absence of care and maternal protection. The aim of this work is to highlight, with an amount of originality, a very complex and current issue, generated by early motherhood and by the importance of the intervention of the specialists from probation services, an intervention necessary for rehabilitation of the child's father, who committed the criminal act. Through the inductive method starting from a certain typology of minor mothers, it has been proposed generalizations in order to understand that the practice of social work involves a variety of alternative real situations. The proposals regarding the decisions that should be taken on the case, is a more complex process centered on social acceptance and on the recovery of the relationships affected by the committing of criminal acts, when the abidance by children rights is required for parents and family. The initiation of warning and early intervention program, education of the community regarding the abidance and promoting the children rights, including small children who come from such families in early education programs in order to develop personal skills, knowledge and on long-term a social capital can be considered starting points for identifying future solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore Chinese women's perceptions of maternal role competence and factors contributing to maternal role competence during early motherhood. Developing a sense of competence and satisfaction in the maternal role are considered critical components in maternal adaptation, which have a significant impact on parenting behaviours and the psychosocial development of the child. However, qualitative studies that address maternal role competence are limited in the Chinese population. This was an exploratory descriptive study. A purposive sample of 26 Chinese primiparous mothers participated in a childbirth psychoeducation programme and was interviewed at six weeks postpartum. Data were analysed using content analysis. Women perceived a competent mother as being able to make a commitment to caring for the physical and emotional well-being of child, while cultivating appropriate values for childhood. Personal knowledge and experience of infant care, success in breastfeeding, infant's well-being, availability of social support and contradictory information from various sources were major factors affecting maternal role competency. The findings highlight the importance of understanding Chinese cultural attitudes to childrearing and maternal role competence. New Chinese mothers need information on child care, positive experiences of infant care, social support and consistent information to enhance their maternal role competency. Recommendations are made for Chinese culturally specific guidelines and healthcare delivery interventions to enhance maternal role competence in early motherhood. Nursing and midwifery care should always take into account the cultural beliefs and enable adaptation of traditional postpartum practices. Providing consistent information and positive experience on parenting skills and infant behaviour as well as enhancing effective coping strategies could strengthen Chinese women's maternal role competency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined the role of maternal human, social, and cultural capital in the relationship between early motherhood and harsh parenting behavior. Methods: This study used data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing (FFCW) Study. Harsh parenting behaviors by mothers who were 19 years or younger at birth of the focal child (n = 598) were compared with that of adult mothers 26 years or older (n = 1,363). Measures included: For harsh parenting behavior, three proxies were created from the Parent to Child version of the Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-PC) and self-reports of maternal spanking. For maternal human capital, education, employment, and depression were used. For maternal social capital, expected-social support, paternal support, and lone caregiver status were included. For maternal cultural capital, religious attendance and attachment to race/ethnic heritage were used. Results: Multivariate analyses indicated that adolescent motherhood has a significant impact on all three harsh parenting behavior outcomes even after controlling for demographic and maternal capital characteristics. Working since the birth of the focal child, depression scores, paternal support, expected-social support, and attendance at religious services made independent contributions to the prediction of harsh parenting behavior. Conclusions: Findings emphasize the importance of the prevention of adolescent motherhood and suggest intervention strategies for reducing the risk of maternal harsh parenting behavior. Further study is necessary to examine the complicated relationships among maternal capital and parenting. One method may be to focus on the development of measures of maternal capital, notably measures of expectations regarding and perceptions of received capital. Practice implications: Findings from this study have implications for social work practice, particularly for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy and intervention with adolescent mothers and their children. First, the study calls for more recognition of school social work and intervention programs in school settings as important components of prevention services. Second, the importance of identifying fathers and helping them become involved and connected with their young families are highlighted. Finally, practitioners should become more aware of the role of culture in young families as the effect of cultural capital on parenting behavior becomes better understood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A context-specific delineation of research approaches to resilience in the perinatal and early motherhood literature is currently lacking. A principle-based concept analysis was used to establish a description of how women's resilience is currently conceptualised and operationalised within empirical research in the perinatal period and early motherhood (defined as up to five-years postpartum). CINAHL, Medline, PsychInfo, EMBASE, ASSIA, Web of Science, Scielo, Maternity and Infant Care, the Cochrane Library, and the World Health Organization were systematically searched (January/February 2020 and March 2022). Fifty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Analysis demonstrated interchangeable use of associated concepts such as 'coping', 'coping strategies', and 'adaptation'. Resilience was frequently operationalised as the absence of illness symptomatology, rather than the presence of mental well-being. Investigations of positive areas of functioning were predominately related to the mother's family role. There was limited qualitative exploration of women's perspectives. Recommendations for the pragmatic application of resilience research were not well developed. The narrow operationalisation of resilience by mental ill-health and parental role, and the distinct absence of women's perspectives, restricts the logical maturity and pragmatic application of the concept. Future research may benefit from exploration of women's insights on indicators that might best reflect positive functioning and resilience in this period.

• Sexual disturbance is associated with increased risk of early motherhood. • Anger and suicidality are associated with decreased risk of early motherhood. • Trauma-sensitive practices may empower women preparing for early motherhood. Young women who had contact with child protective services (CPS) are two to three times more likely to become young mothers than their peers in the general population. Adverse life events, such as maltreatment and placement instability, are associated with an increased risk of early motherhood. Adverse events may lead to trauma symptoms, which could contribute to the circumstances that lead young women to become mothers. In this study, we explored the association between trauma symptoms and early motherhood, after controlling for the effects of maltreatment, placement instability, and risky sexual behaviors, among 112 young women who had contact with CPS. The results of a multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that symptoms of trauma related to sexual disturbance were associated with an increased risk of early motherhood while anger and suicidality as trauma symptoms were associated with a decrease in this risk. These results suggest that the long-term consequences of adverse events, such as trauma symptoms, should be considered in the study of early motherhood. Furthermore, a trauma-sensitive approach focused on the links between traumatic events and behavioral dysfunction could be helpful in supporting young women who had contact with CPS and are preparing for early motherhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]