Pregnant and parenting teens' attitudes toward pregnancy and motherhood and their perceptions of social support

Abstract

<p>This study investigated the social support network of pregnant (n=10) and parenting (n=22) teens recruited through local agencies. The support network was viewed both as support and as an agent of stress to adolescents. The pregnant and parenting teens' perceptions of motherhood and their attitudes toward being a parent were also studied. The teens had a variety of support types and support sources, but the two groups did not differ in those types and sources. They preferred support from boyfriend and mother over other sources and both groups had similar expectations and beliefs about motherhood and social support. The pregnant teens reported significantly more contact with the baby's father than the parenting teens. Results were discussed in terms of need for more support for the teens, but especially for the teen mothers.</p>