| Abstract
Pregnancy and childrearing represents a
source of stress for teen mothers. Research
indicates that the adolescent approach their
parenting role with additional problems including
depression. Parents’ depression is associated
with a negative impact on their children’s
emotional, behavioral, cognitive and social
well being (Billings & Moos, 1983). Investigators
report the interaction between a depress mother
and her child is characterized as insensitivity,
unresponsive and hostile (Teti, Gelfand, Messinger
and Isabella, 1995). This is a risk factor for
the development of an insecure attachment. An
insecure attachment is a risk factor for depression
and stress in later life.
Adolescence is a time of transition between
childhood and adulthood. It is necessary that
parents and caretakers of adolescents be familiar
with the psychosocial, cognitive and physical
changes during this time. Research with adolescent
have identified common events or situations
related with stress; trouble with classmates,
trouble with parents or family members, trouble
with their couple, increased arguments between
parents and serious illness or injury of family
member. Adults should be aware on how these
risk factors affect the life of the adolescent
and should try to be sensitive with the adolescents
when the stress is imminent.
Adolescent pregnancy is a complex problem that
affects the complete family system and represents
a time of stress (Loyd, 2004). Research has
established that 25% of adolescents have a second
child after their first childbirth (Jaskiewicz
y Mc Anarney, 1994). Even when the incidence
of adolescent pregnancy has lowered, the Center
for Control of Infection and Disease, (2003)
indicate that the rates are still high.
Upchurch and Mc Carthy (1990) indicate that
adolescent pregnancy brings a variety of psychosocial
problems as dropping out of school, poverty,
divorce, single parenting and subsequent pregnancy
in some cases from successive partners. All
these situations are a source of stress during
a period in life that stress is part of normal
developmental processes and in the case of teen
pregnancy with different roles, which will include
now pregnancy and childrearing. Eister, Elizabeth
and Lamb (1983) indicate that during adolescence
the individual is developing their abstract
thinking skills, which will provide them the
capability to manage different complex situation
one of them, the sensitivity to respond to their
infant, they are developing their resources
to cope with stress. Parenthood becomes another
source of stress for the teenager.
Bowlby (1969) indicates the importance of the
parent response to their infant. The style of
attachment develops between the infant and the
caregiver will determine if the child will be
comfortable seeking comfort from others, secure
to explore his surroundings and trust others.
If the child develops an insecure attachment,
he will be more detached and will not seek significant
relationships with others. Spieker and Bensley
(1994) establish that if the adolescent is unprepared
to assume the parent role and has poor parenting
practice their infant can develop an insecure
attachment. Roberts, Gotlib and Kassel (1996)
indicate that an insecure attachment is a risk
factor for depression in adulthood.
Researchers found that adolescent approach their
parenting role with additional problems including
depression (Deal and Holt, 1998). Parents’
depression is associated with a negative impact
on their children’s emotional, behavioral,
cognitive and social well being (Billings &
Moos, 1983). The interaction between a depress
mother and her child is characterized as insensitivity,
unresponsive and hostile (Teti, Gelfand, Messinger
and Isabella, 1995). Depressed parents are in
higher risk to relationship discord. Parental
discord is associated with behavioral and emotional
problems in children (Cummings & Davies,
1994). Feeling unprepared and depress for this
new role is a source of stress for the young
parents.
Research has established that the elements
of communication, interpersonal process and
relationship satisfaction between the couples
are link to the quality of parenting (Cox &
Paley, 1997). The family functioning depends
on communication between its members and this
element will determine the connectedness of
the nuclear family (Kirby, 2001). In a research
by Lloyd (2004) she identify that pregnant adolescent
perceive poor communication between them and
their parents prior and during their pregnancy.
As have been established by different researcher
and my own experience working with pregnant
adolescent there is an identifiable cycle that
can be identified.
Stresses on family of origin
(unsecured attachment)
Risk of depression in adulthood
Impact on children emotional
well being
The challenge for the professional working
with a pregnant adolescent is how to balance
the maturational demands required to be a competent
parent and the development stage do to normal
human development where the adolescent can be
identified. Is it possible for the professional
to accelerate the normal developmental process
so that the adolescent can effectively respond
to the demands of being a parent? The professional
has to evaluate the stress related to this demand
by helping the adolescent do a smooth transition.
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