Differences in maternal perception of the newborn among adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To test the feasibility and efficacy of a Parenting Enhancement Program (PEP) on adolescent mothers' perceptions of the neonate and to ascertain the extent to which PEP reinforces the effects of maternal age or self-esteem on their perceptions.


METHODS
Ninety-two pregnant adolescents were placed into one of two groups; one group participated in a PEP and the other group did not. A Background Information Questionnaire, Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Neonatal Perception Inventory (NPI) were used to collect data from all the subjects at five intervals beginning during pregnancy and ending at 3 months postpartum.


RESULTS
A t-test revealed significant differences between the two groups at 1 month postpartum on the NPI. The PEP group had a significant gain on the NPI from the second day postpartum to 1 month postpartum. The PEP subjects showed a significant gain on the SES over time. A significant relationship was found between SES and NPI at 1 month postpartum.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings lend support for the use of the PEP. Self-esteem served to reinforce the effects of the PEP, but age did not make a difference.
Porter
L S
LS
Sobong
L C
LC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception