How Teen Mothers Describe Dating Violence

Parental Factors as Predictors of Dating Violence Among Latinx Adolescent Mothers

The purpose of our study was to examine how parental stress and coparenting relationship quality were related to dating violence perpetration and victimization among 114 Latinx adolescent mothers. We hypothesized that higher levels of parental stress and lower coparenting quality would be associated with increased dating violence perpetration and victimization. Prior to running a path analysis to test our hypotheses, we examined how frequently the Latinx adolescent mothers in our sample reported perpetrating at least one act of psychological or physical abuse against their partner in the past month. We found that 84.3% of the mothers in our study had perpetrated at least one act of violence against their partner in the past month and 74.7% reported they had been the victim of at least one act of violence by their partner in the past month. After accounting for frequency of contact with the father of their child, we found Latinx adolescent mothers were more likely to perpetrate abuse against, as well as be the victim of abuse by, their partner if they had a lower quality coparenting relationship. However, parental stress was not associated with dating violence perpetration or victimization after accounting for frequency of contact. Our findings show the importance of the quality of the coparenting relationship, above and beyond parental stress, as a predictor of dating violence victimization and perpetration, thus highlighting the importance of educating adolescent parents about how to navigate the coparenting relationship.

Preventing Intimate Partner Violence Among Teen Mothers: A Pilot Study

Despite high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) among teens who are pregnant or parenting, the field is lacking evidence-based prevention programs designed for this population. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively adapt the evidence-based Safe Dates IPV prevention program and conduct a pilot study of the adapted program with female teens who were pregnant or parenting. We completed formative research including a literature review, focus groups, and pre-testing of adapted content to inform the revised curriculum. We then conducted a randomized controlled trial with 32 teens (average age = 17) to compare the adapted program to the original program on implementation characteristics and outcomes, including IPV perpetration and victimization. Directions of effect favored the adapted program over the original program for 18 out of 21 implementation outcomes for which models could be estimated and for 11 of 12 participant outcomes. The strongest effects, all favoring the adapted program, were found for observer-reported adherence to the curriculum, participant ratings of the relevance of characters and scenarios, participant knowledge of ways to get help for abuse, and attitudes toward IPV. These findings demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted program for this target population and suggest that the program may be efficacious when evaluated in a larger study.

The Role of Gender in Adolescent Dating Abuse: An Interpretive Meta-Synthesis of the Qualitative Literature

The role of gender has received considerable attention in the academic literature on intimate partner violence (IPV). The Grand Challenges for Social Work take a gender-neutral approach, without regard to the influence of gender on adolescent development and dating relationships. This positioning is inconsistent with gender mainstreaming approaches that have been integrated into international framings of IPV. The purpose of this article is to conduct a qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis to investigate how gender is represented in research on adolescent dating abuse across qualitative literature (N = 17 articles). Results underscore that gender influences the impact of abuse, with female adolescents more likely to be fearful in relationships, at higher risk for damage to their social standing, and more likely to be blamed for the abuse. Gender-specific attitudes affect perceptions of the seriousness of abuse, antecedents of abuse, and rationales for perpetrating violence. Findings across the studies indicate that adolescents have internalized gender scripts. Therefore, strategies to prevent dating abuse need to be cognizant of the socializing role of gender and the myriad ways it influences adolescents' lived experiences. Therefore, the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare should consider revising the language of the existing challenges to mainstream gender.

Dating Violence in Adolescence: Implications for Girls' Sexual Health

Adolescents in the United States are too often involved in relationships characterized by coercion and violence. An emerging body of research suggests that dating violence is linked with other health risks in adolescent relationships, particularly sexual risk behavior. The confluence of risks conferred by dating violence and sexual risk behavior are particularly acute for adolescent girls. Adolescent gynecology providers need to understand the nature of dating violence in adolescence and the ways in which dating violence and sexual risk behavior are mutually influential. This article reviews the literature on the links between dating violence and sexual risk in adolescent girls' relationships. The prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of dating violence in adolescence are discussed, followed by a review of the research linking dating violence and sexual risk, with a focus on common mechanisms underlying these relationship risk behaviors. The review concludes with implications for screening, prevention, intervention, and future directions for research.

No straight lines - young women's perceptions of their mental health and wellbeing during and after pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-ethnography

Background

Young mothers face mental health challenges during and after pregnancy including increased rates of depression compared to older mothers. While the prevention of teenage pregnancy in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom has been a focus for policy and research in recent decades, the need to understand young women’s own experiences has been highlighted. The aim of this meta-ethnography was to examine young women’s perceptions of their mental health and wellbeing during and after pregnancy to provide new understandings of those experiences.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-ethnographic synthesis of qualitative research was conducted. Seven databases were systematically searched and forward and backward searching conducted. Papers were included if they were from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries and explored mental health and wellbeing experiences of young mothers (age under 20 in pregnancy; under 25 at time of research) as a primary research question – or where evidence about mental health and wellbeing from participants was foregrounded. Nineteen papers were identified and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for qualitative research used to appraise the evidence. Following the seven-step process of meta-ethnography, key constructs were examined within each study and then translated into one another.

Results

Seven translated themes were identified forming a new line of argument wherein mental health and wellbeing was analysed as relating to individual bodily experiences; tied into past and present relationships; underpinned by economic insecurity and entangled with feelings of societal surveillance. There were ‘no straight lines’ in young women’s experiences, which were more complex than dominant narratives around overcoming adversity suggest.

Conclusions

The synthesis concludes that health and social care professionals need to reflect on the operation of power and stigma in young women’s lives and its impact on wellbeing. It adds to understanding of young women’s mental health and wellbeing during and after pregnancy as located in physical and structural factors rather than individual capacities alone.

Qualitative, Interpretive Metasynthesis of Women's Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To describe the perspectives of women who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy through a qualitative, interpretive metasynthesis.

DATA SOURCES

We searched 12 electronic databases to identify articles on qualitative studies pertaining to women's experiences of IPV during pregnancy. We searched Academic Search Complete, AgeLine, CINAHL Complete, Family Studies Abstracts, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, PsycINFO, Social Work Abstracts, Health Source-Consumer Edition, Health Source-Nursing/Academic Edition, and Humanities Full Text for articles published from 2008 through 2018.

DATA EXTRACTION

We used inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify eight reports of qualitative studies that contained direct quotations in which women described their experiences of IPV.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We used a methodologic reduction to provide a theoretical context that helped us synthesize the data to five key themes: Pregnancy Escalates Abuse, Concern for Unborn Fetus, Importance ofSupport, My Child Saved Me, and Pregnancy Is a Catalyst for Reflection.

CONCLUSION

The results of our synthesis illustrate the unique perspectives of women who experienced IPV during pregnancy. Understanding these experiences can help health care providers assist pregnant women through enhanced screenings and education. Health care providers can also help women identify resources for emotional and financial support as they determine the best courses of action for themselves and their children.

Young Mothers' and Fathers' Perceptions of Relationship Violence: A Focus Group Study

Teens and young adults who are pregnant or parenting are important targets for efforts to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV). To intervene appropriately and effectively, we need to fully understand the unique issues and contexts for IPV in this population. This focus group study examined young parents' ( N = 28) perceptions of their relationships, stressors and sources of conflict, forms of IPV, and help-seeking behaviors. We examined data using template, content, thematic, and framework analyses. Findings about relationships and violence between young parents provide valuable insights for future intervention programs designed to prevent or address IPV among teen parents.

Intimate Partner Violence Among Pregnant Young Women: A Qualitative Inquiry

This article explores intimate partner violence (IPV) as experienced by young women during the perinatal period. Using purposive sampling, data pertaining to the experiences of 10 young mothers were gathered through on-site participative observation and individual in-depth interviews. Interviews were coded in an inductive way to reflect the experiences of the participants before pregnancy and following pregnancy confirmation. Overall, the analyses of different manifestations of IPV and their contexts reveal the difficulty these young mothers experience in identifying themselves as a victim of IPV and in categorizing their partner's acts as intimate violence. The fear of family separation and the desire to protect their child contributed to the complexity of violence experienced in a context of motherhood. This article also reflects on the limits of data collection on this subject through comparison of the results of the interviews with the results of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2). Further research is needed to provide more insight into victimization among young mothers and to inform interventions with the goal of helping young women overcome the intersecting challenges of violence and motherhood.

Mexican American adolescent couples' vulnerability for observed negativity and physical violence: Pregnancy and acculturation mismatch

Stress and vulnerability for dating violence may be heightened among acculturating Mexican American (MA) adolescents, and MA adolescent parents, because of differing cultural values and norms within romantic relationships. We hypothesized, in a sample of MA heterosexual couples (N = 30, 15-17 years), that: 1) within-couple level acculturation discrepancies, and pregnancy/parenting, would predict physical violence perpetration, and 2) that this association would have an indirect effect through couple-level negativity during an observed dyadic video-taped discussion of conflict. Using a path model we found that pregnant/parenting adolescents (B = .37, SE = .16, p = .002), and couples with greater acculturation mismatch resulted in greater couple negativity (B = .16, SE = .06, p = .01), which was associated with self-reported physical violence perpetration (B = .41, SE = .22, p = .02; indirect effect, B = .15, SE = .07, p = .03). Within-couple acculturation discrepancies and pregnancy/parenting may be a pathway to dating violence through poor communication skills around conflict for MA youth. Support services that strengthen communication skills, particularly for pregnant/parenting couples, are recommended.

Intimate partner violence and pregnant and parenting adolescents in out-of-home care: reflections on a data set and implications for intervention

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To present the findings from a data set reflecting intimate partner violence among adolescents who are pregnant and parenting and living in out-of-home care and to analyse these findings in order to generate potential interventions to address this significant issue.

BACKGROUND

Because of their developmental stage, coupled with the stress of pregnancy and new parenthood, adolescent women who are pregnant or postpartum are often at a high risk of abuse. Violence may include physical, emotional/psychological, verbal and sexual abuse, along with birth control sabotage and pregnancy coercion. Adolescent mothers in out-of-home care such as foster care, juvenile detention facilities, kinship care or living in complex family circumstances may be at an even higher risk of intimate partner violence related to the increase in stress, conflict and tenuous situations.

DESIGN

This descriptive study was designed, using baseline self-report and demographic data, to examine the relationship of pregnancy or parenting among adolescents with a fear of or reported involvement in intimate partner violence.

METHODS

A total of 151 sexually active, urban, system-involved youths in out-of-home care were assessed between 2012-2015 with a survey questionnaire assessment of sexual reproductive health behaviours, areas of risk and protective factors.

RESULTS

The findings indicated a significant association between ever having been pregnant and fear of intimate partner violence.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population, fear of intimate partner violence was prevalent among adolescent mothers, adding to the complexity of an already difficult family situation. Due to the small sample size and the potential correlation between intimate partner violence and adolescent motherhood, future longitudinal studies with larger samples of adolescents residing in out-of-home care are needed to better understand how this relationship impacts adolescent mothers, their children and families.

Teen Mothers' Experience of Intimate Partner Violence: A Metasynthesis

Pregnant and parenting teens suffer higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) than older mothers. This qualitative metasynthesis explores teen mothers' experience with IPV during pregnancy and postpartum. Organized by the metaphor of a web, findings highlight how pervasive violence during childhood contributes to teen pregnancy and the risk of IPV as violence is normalized. The web constricts through the partner's control as violence emerges or worsens with pregnancy. Young mothers become increasingly isolated, and live with the physical and psychological consequences of IPV. Trauma-informed nursing practice is needed to support teen mothers in violent intimate relationships to spin a new web.

Depressive Symptoms and Violence Exposure: Contributors to Repeat Pregnancies Among Adolescents

Depressive symptoms and violence exposure (VE) often cooccur and have been recognized to influence childbearing; contribution to repeat pregnancy is unclear and examined in this article. This cross-sectional, descriptive, study screened for depressive symptoms and VE among 193 adolescent mothers at a large county hospital in Southwestern United States. Repeat pregnancy and depressive symptoms characterized one-third and one-quarter of adolescents, respectively. Despite minimal disclosure of VE, repeat pregnancy was significantly influenced by child abuse and past traumatic life experiences. Assessments and interventions with adolescents should focus on frequency of repeat pregnancies and symptoms of depression and VE. Nurses and childbirth educators are poised to offer birth control information and education, support, and resources highlighting depression and VE to adolescents.

A feasibility study to assess the effectiveness of safe dates for teen mothers

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of the adapted Safe Dates curriculum as an intervention for pregnant and/or parenting teens to prevent teen dating violence (TDV).

DESIGN

This pre-/posttest, single-sample study provided a means to assess the effectiveness of an adapted Safe Dates curriculum for teen mothers.

SETTING

The adapted Safe Dates curriculum was implemented in three schools designed for the unique needs of teens who are pregnant and/or parenting.

PARTICIPANTS

The final sample of 41 teen participants, with a mean age of 16.27, completed 80% of the curriculum and two of the three assessments. Most of the teens were pregnant during participation in the curriculum, and six had infants between age 1 and 3 months.

METHODS

The teen mothers completed the pretest, participated in the 10-session adapted Safe Dates curriculum, and completed the posttest at the end of the program and 1 month after program completion. The pre/posttest was adapted from the Safe Dates curriculum-specific evaluation instrument. Senior, undergraduate nursing students were trained in and implemented the curriculum.

RESULTS

Participation in the adapted Safe Dates program yielded significant differences in the areas of responses to anger, gender stereotyping, awareness of resources for perpetrators and victims, and psychological violence perpetration.

CONCLUSIONS

This adapted program may be effective in changing selected outcomes. The implementation of a larger scale, experimental/control group study may demonstrate the program's efficacy at reducing the incidence of TDV among teen mothers.