The relationship between social support and adolescent mothers' interactions with their infants: a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to statistically summarize the results of independent quantitative studies regarding the relationship between social support and adolescent mothers' interactions with their infants.


METHODS
The following sources were selected from 1980 to 1999: citations from bibliographies of previously located articles, dissertations abstracts, the Social Sciences Citation Indexes, and researchers at a regional conference; online sources used were CINHAL, MEDLINE, ERIC, Psych Lit, and Social Work Abstracts.


METHODS
Of a potential sample of 31 studies, 14 were excluded because they did not meet the sampling criteria, and 4 were deleted as outliers. The final sample consisted of 13 studies.


METHODS
Each study was coded for methodologic and substantive variables, including quality indicators.


RESULTS
Most of the studies were cross sectional in design and used a variety of measures. Together, the studies included a sample of 823 mothers.


CONCLUSIONS
A medium effect size and a significant relationship between social support of adolescent mothers and their interactions with their infants were established. No difference was found in the relationship when support was provided by the family or through a network.
Clemmens
D
D
Yale University, School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, USA. dcstamf@aol.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D015982:Bias; D019058:Community Networks; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015987:Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D018401:Sample Size; D012944:Social Support