Postpartum Depression Among Teen Mothers and Its Effects on Maternal and Child Well-Being

Background and Purpose: About one in three girls in the U.S. becomes pregnant before turning 20 years old. Their young age—in addition to common stressors, such as being developmentally unready to be a parent, financial instability, and limited peer or social support—put these teens at high risk for postpartum depression (PPD). Research indicates depression rates can range from 25 to 65% among young mothers and depressed adolescent mothers tend to be at greater risk for depression later as adults. We are still learning how depression in postpartum teens is related to their child’s wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to examine PPD among teen mothers and its potential effects on their mental health and their child’s well-being after three years .

Methods: Longitudinal data on 374 mothers aged 14-36 years were drawn from the Predicting and Preventing Neglect in Teen Mothers Study—a study of mothers purposively sampled from primary care facilities in Alabama, Kansas, Indiana, and Washington D.C. Maternal depression was based on the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) and analyzed at 6-months (i.e. PPD) and 36-months (when their child was 3 years old). The child well-being measures were based on the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (ITSEA) and analyzed at 36-months, focusing on negative behaviors (i.e. high activity, impulsivity, and aggression) and emotional well-being (i.e. depression, social withdrawal and extreme shyness). Correlational and multivariate analyses were used to compare the PPD of adolescent teen mothers (aged 14-18 years) and older mothers on PPD and its impact on maternal depression and child well-being at 36 months.

Results:  Results showed significantly higher rates of PPD among teen mothers during their first year of motherhood than mothers of later age groups. Based on correlation analyses, we found that PPD was negatively associated with the child’s behavior and emotional well-being. Regression models showed that while PPD was not a significant predictor of child well-being at 36 months, it was a significant predictor of higher levels of maternal depression at 36 months (B=0.43, p < 0.001). In turn, increased levels of depression at 36 months negatively impacted their children’s behavior and emotional well-being.

Conclusions and Implications: This study highlighted the persistence of depression from postpartum through 3 years after childbirth among young mothers, which in turn, can negatively influence the behavior and emotional wellbeing of their child. The teen mothers (aged 18 and under) in our sample were particularly at risk for PPD. Previous research has shown that a mother’s early postpartum mood can affect her interaction with her newborn and consequently, the child’s behavior and emotional regulation as a toddler.  Maternal depression and perceived difficulty of child behavior can have a reciprocal effect, possibly extending the depression and negatively influencing parenting. Early intervention and awareness of importance of mother-child interactions is advised when working with teens. Suggestions for increased screenings and educational, age-appropriate programs in schools and clinics are given.