Postpartum transitions in adolescent mothers' romantic and maternal relationships

Minority adolescent mothers (N = 375) were interviewed during the prepartum (or early postpartum) period and approximately 1 year later (N = 186) regarding their maternal and romantic relationships, depressive symptomatology, and negative life events. Over time, adolescents reported that male partners provided more support than did mothers and that partners' support was equally important to mothers' support. Further, while support from mothers decreased over time, strain increased. Results highlight the importance of considering relationship stability. At Time 2, partner support was negatively associated with depression only among adolescents who retained the same partner (17%). In addition, adolescents who sustained a romantic relationship disruption (38%) reported more negative life events than did those who had not. Implications for research, intervention, and policy are discussed.