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The Protective Effects of Father Involvement for Infants of Teen Mothers with Depressive Symptoms.
- Source :
- Maternal & Child Health Journal; May2015, Vol. 19 Issue 5, p1016-1023, 8p, 4 Charts, 1 Graph
- Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- The purpose of this study is to examine the role of father involvement on infant distress among children born to teen mothers, particularly those who are depressed. 119 teen mothers (<20 years) and their infants (<6 months) enrolled in a quasi-experimental trial of a comprehensive pediatric primary care program. Data were drawn from mother-reported questionnaires administered at baseline, before participation in the intervention or comparison conditions. 29 % of teen mothers screened positive for depression. Mothers reported that 78 % of fathers were engaged with their children, typically seeing them a few times per month, and 71 % took financial responsibility for their children. In a multiple linear regression, father responsibility predicted lower infant distress, maternal depression predicted higher infant distress, and there was a significant interaction in which father engagement buffered the effect of maternal depression on infant distress. Fathers may be a protective resource for children born to teen mothers, even as early as the first 6 months of life, potentially mitigating the heightened risk associated with maternal depression in the postpartum period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10927875
- Volume :
- 19
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Maternal & Child Health Journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 102103742
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-014-1600-2