title: Sources of stress and support and maternal resources of homeless teenage mothers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Homeless families headed by young mothers are increasing. This preliminary study describes the characteristics of 17 homeless teenage mothers (HTM).
  
  
  METHODS
  HTMs completed questionnaires researching depression, self-esteem, maternal competence, and sources of stress and support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HTMs had positive maternal competence and self-esteem scores. When compared to housed mothers, HTMs were younger, had more depressive symptoms and negative life events, and fewer social supports.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HTMs represent a high-risk group with fewer available supports and many complex life stressors. School-based programs can benefit HTMs by offering support, helping them continue their education, and assisting with on-site school-based childcare.
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Mikki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meadows-Oliver
authors.forename: Lois S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Sadler
authors.forename: Martha K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Swartz
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ryan-Krause
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009511:New England; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological