Disorganized attachment relationships in infants of adolescent mothers and factors that may augment positive outcomes

Abstract

Early parenting experiences and child outcomes of adolescent mothers depend greatly on the mother's intellect, personal adaptability, and cognitive readiness. A plethora of research indicates that parenting adolescent females experience higher rates of depression and stress, attain fewer years of formal education, lack employment skills, live in higher rates of poverty, and tend to their children's needs inconsistently and less effectively compared to older mothers; these issues are indicative of poor child outcomes. A high percentage of adolescent girls engage in disorganized attachment relationships with their children. This paper focuses on disorganized attachment in infants of adolescent mothers, and includes factors that may assist adolescents and their infants to achieve more positive outcomes.