A comparison of the postpartum learning needs of adolescent mothers and their mothers

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the postpartum learning needs of adolescent mothers and their mothers and to compare the differences between the learning needs of the 2 groups of women.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional survey design.

Setting: One university hospital and 2 private Midwestern hospitals.

Participants: Convenience sample of 100 women (50 mother/daughter pairs).

Main outcome measures: Postpartum teaching questionnaire-E, postpartum teaching questionnaire-F, and demographic questionnaire.

Results: There were no group differences between adolescent mothers and their mothers on baby-care items, but there were group differences on 3 maternal-care items: emotional changes (p < .001), resumption of sexual activity (p < .001), and birth control (p = .009).

Conclusions: Nurses may need to use different teaching strategies for adolescent mothers and their mothers about resumption of sexual activity, but the teaching strategies necessary for other postpartum topics may be similar. Further research is needed to determine where those similarities may be and to determine the most effective teaching strategies for each group of mothers.