Adolescent parent education: a maturational model

Health care, educational and social programs are frequently required to assist increasing numbers of adolescent mothers to meet their own needs and those of their babies. This paper presents a maturational rationale for development of a comprehensive parent education program. Some pertinent aspects of adolescent psychological development are first presented to provide a perspective for understanding the models illustrating the teenage mother's responses to her child. Barriers are then delineated which commonly restrict the young mother from attaining the mature relationship with her baby presented in a maturational model. Specific recommendations are offered in the areas of program development, content, and structure.