The behavioral risks and life circumstances of adolescent mothers involvedwith older adult partners

Objective: To investigate behavioral risks and life circumstances of adoles cent mothers with older (greater than or equal to5 years) adult (greater th an or equal to 20 years old) vs similar-aged (+/-2 years) male partners at 12 months' postpartum. Methods: Nine hundred thirty-one adolescent females were interviewed after delivery and were mailed surveys to complete at. 12 months' postpartum. Ana lysis by chi (2) and t test was used to identify differences in behavioral risks (planned repeated pregnancy, substance use, and intimate partner viol ence) and life circumstances (financial status, school enrollment, and soci al support) fur adolescent mothers with older adult vs similar-aged partner s. Additional stratified analyses were conducted to evaluate the extent to which living with an adult authority figure or being with the father of her infant born 12 months previously might alter observed relationships. Results: At 12 months following delivery, 184 adolescent mothers (20%) repo rted having an older adult partner, whereas 312 (34%) had a similar-aged pa rtner. The remaining adolescent mothers (n=239) were excluded from further analyses. Adolescent mothers with older adult partners were significantly l ess likely to be employed or enrolled in school and were more likely to rep ort planned repeated pregnancies. These adolescent mothers also received le ss social support. No differences were observed in intimate partner violenc e or the mother's substance use. Adolescent mothers with older adult partne rs who did not live with an adult authority figure seemed to be at greatest risk. Conclusions: The negative educational and financial impact of coupling with an older vs similar-aged partner seems greater for those mothers who no lo nger reside with an adult authority figure. These adolescent mothers are al so at greater risk of planned rapid repeated pregnancy. Given their limited educational attainment and family support, a subsequent pregnancy may plac e these young women at considerable financial and educational disadvantage.