Decision making and depressive symptoms in black and white multigenerational teen-parent families

This study investigated correlates of depressive symptoms among 56 (30 Blac k and 26 White) low-income, coresiding teenage mothers and their mothers (r eferred to as grandmothers). Racial differences in teenage mothers' and gra ndmothers' reports of decision making and depressive symptoms and in the as sociation of decision making with depressive symptoms were explored. Racial differences in levels of depressive symptoms emerged for grandmothers but not for teens. There were no significant differences in levels of decision making; however, the relation of decision making to depressive symptoms dif fered by racial group. Among White families, greater teen participation in decision making was negatively associated with teenage mothers' depressive symptoms. Among Black families, the opposite was found. A similar pattern o f effects was observed for grandmothers.