PERCEPTIONS OF PARENTAL SUPPORT AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY AMONG BLACK-AND-WHITE ADOLESCENT MOTHERS

Parental support and conflictual relationships in a sample of 48 Black and White adolescent mothers between the ages of 14 and 19 were exami ned. Adolescent mothers were interviewed when their babies were 3 mont hs old. Most adolescent mothers reported close relationships with both their mothers and fathers before and after the births of their babies . The perception of a supportive relationship with the mother after th e birth of a baby increased more than the perception of a supportive r elationship with the father. Perceptions of conflict were much higher for mothers than for fathers, and less conflict with parents was repor ted by Black than by White adolescent mothers. Older White adolescent mothers rated their fathers as more supportive than did younger White mothers, but these differences did not exist among Black adolescent mo thers. The effects of self-esteem and parental relationships on adoles cent depressive symptomatology were also examined. Self-esteem and sup portive relationships with fathers were both negatively associated wit h depressive symptomatology among adolescent mothers. These data highl ight the need to consider multiple factors that contribute to the emot ional adjustment and psychological well-being of adolescent mothers. I mplications of findings for mental health service delivery are discuss ed in this article.