Characterizing low-income Latina adolescent mothers: Living arrangements, psychological adjustment, and use of services

Received 11 June 2003; accepted 20 January 2005.

Abstract

This study examined language, living arrangements, and various outcomes among Latina adolescent mothers. Living with mothers was associated with increased self-esteem for all adolescents, and lower depression for English-speaking and bilingual adolescents only. Spanish speakers reported higher welfare enrollment and better educational outcomes. Living with partners appeared to have negative implications.

Keywords: Adolescent pregnancy , Latinas , Living arrangements , Psychologic adjustment , Education , Social welfare

a Department of Psychiatry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California

b Public Health Foundation Enterprises’ Women, Infants, and Children Program, Irwindale, California

Address correspondence to: Erum Nadeem, UCLA-Semel Institute Health Services Research Center, 10920 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

PII: S1054-139X(05)00090-X

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.01.013

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