title: Support systems and caretaking behaviors of adolescent and older mothers: the first year after delivery.
abstract: This study investigated differences in support systems and caretaking behaviors of adolescent and older mothers. Nineteen adolescent and 25 older, Caucasian, first-time mothers completed the Community Interaction Checklist and Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment one, six, and 12 months after delivery. No significant differences in number or quality of daily interactions existed, although teens interacted more with helping agents and less with the baby's father and work contacts. No significant relationship between support and caretaking occurred. Teens may not be the isolated group sometimes depicted in the literature. They are a diverse population whose varying, individual needs must be considered prior to intervention.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Schilmoeller
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Baranowski
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Coladarci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008281:Maine; D008423:Maternal Age; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support