PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS AMONG DEPRESSED ADOLESCENT MOTHERS

This study sought to determine whether depressed adolescent mothers ex perience more psychosocial stressors than do nondepressed mothers and which stressors best predict maternal depression. Subjects consisted o f 154 adolescent mothers 14 to 21 years of age who were recruited 1 to 3 days postpartum. The Beck Depression Inventory was used to assess s everity of depression, and the Problem Oriented Screening Instrument f or Teenagers was administered to assess mothers' level of psychosocial functioning. Depressed mothers consistently reported more problems in most areas of psychosocial functioning. Additionally, the best predic tors of maternal depression were mental health status, family relation s, and social skills.