Religiosity and the socioemotional adjustment of adolescent mothers and their children.
This study assessed the impact of religiosity on the socioemotional and behavioral outcomes of 91 adolescent mothers and their offspring over 10 years. Religiosity was defined as involvement in church and contact with and dependence on church officials and members. Mothers classified as high in religious involvement had significantly higher self-esteem and lower depression scores, exhibited less child abuse potential, and had higher occupational and educational attainment than mothers classified as low in religious involvement; differences remained when multiple factors, such as stress and grandmother support, were held constant. Children with more religious mothers had fewer internalizing and externalizing problems at 10 years of age, with maternal adjustment mediating this relationship. Religiosity, through increased social support, served as a protective factor for teenaged mothers and their children.
Carothers
Shannon S
SS
Department of Psychology.
Borkowski
John G
JG
Department of Psychology.
Lefever
Jennifer Burke
JB
Department of Psychology.
Whitman
Thomas L
TL
Department of Psychology.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002657:Child Development; D004522:Educational Status; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment