Mental health of adolescent mothers.
OBJECTIVE
To propose an assessment and intervention model for adolescent mothers that evaluates the influence of physical, cognitive, affective, and interpersonal development on such areas of psychological dysfunction as unprotected sexual activity, substance abuse, and psychopathology.


METHODS
More than 100 studies were reviewed to identify correlations between discrete developmental events and evidence of psychological dysfunction in adolescent mothers.


RESULTS
The adolescent's nascent developmental skill in one domain of functioning (e.g., cognitive) frequently exerts a synergistic effect on other areas of functioning (e.g., affective). This synergy increases the likelihood of psychological dysfunction. In turn, psychological dysfunction affects the emerging relationship between the adolescent mother and her infant.


CONCLUSIONS
The interaction between the nascent developmental status of the adolescent caregiver and her psychosocial environment enhances the probability of a maladaptive exchange between mother and infant. A model designed to overcome the adolescent's developmental limitations and promote adaptive interaction with the infant may avert dyadic interpersonal failure.
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Child and Adolescent Outpatient Department, Cornell University Medical Center, Westchester Division, New York, NY.
D000293:Adolescent; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010553:Personality Development; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation