Date of Award

2000

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Diane Houm-Winjerd

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to broaden the field of research on the developmental risks associated with the infants of young mothers by identifying age-related differences within this group of mothers and their associated influences on children's outcomes. A sample of young mothers was developmentally separated into three maternal age groups: 13-15, 16-18, and 19-21. Data on the family's available resources, maternal utilization of social support, the environment of the home, and the infant's developmental progress at six months were combined to examine their relationship to maternal age. In addition, further analysis was completed to identify differences surrounding these maternal, child and environmental variables between the three developmentally derived groups of young mothers.

Results revealed a moderate age group prediction based on the combination of maternal, child and environmental variables that was diminished by the lack of group differences found when examining the variables more in depth. Possible explanations for the lack of group differences as well as implications for practice and further research are discussed.

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