Depression among a sample of first-time adolescent and adult mothers

Little is known about the rates, correlates, and consequences of depression among a sample of first-time mothers.

Four-site prospective study of the first 3 years of life among first children born to first-time mothers, including adolescent (N= 396), lower- (N= 169), and higher-resource adult (N= 117). Mothers were administered the Beck Depression Inventory prenatally and 6 months postpartum. Measures of maternal and infant behaviors were taken at 8 months.

Adolescent mothers displayed higher prenatal and 6-month rates of depression than lower- and higher-resource adult mothers, with significantly more adolescent mothers "consistently" depressed at the two time points than lower- and higher-resource adult mothers. Further, adolescent mothers were significantly more likely to become depressed after their babies were born than lower- or higher-resource adult mothers. Depression was negatively related to parenting practices and babies' behavior. As depression increased, mothers scored less favorably in maternal warmth and sensitivity, contingent responsiveness, and general verbalness; children scored less favorably in warmth seeking toward their mothers.

Findings signify the need for counseling and nurse-based intervention and prevention services geared at preparing pregnant adolescents for motherhood.