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Teen-aged mothers in contemporary Britain.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Moffitt, TE; E-Risk Study Team,
Published in: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines
September 2002

This paper describes the circumstances of contemporary young mothers and their children from a nationally representative sample, and compares them to the circumstances of mothers who delayed childbearing beyond age 20.The participants are members of the Environmental Risk (E-risk) Longitudinal Twin Study, which follows an epidemiological sample of 1,116 women who became mothers in England and Wales in 1994-95, and their children, and contains an over-sample of young mothers. Home visits were conducted when the children were aged 5 years. Data were collected from mothers via interviews, from children via experimental tasks and observations, and from teachers via postal questionnaires.Young mothers encountered more socio-economic deprivation, had significantly less human and social capital, and experienced more mental health difficulties. Their partners were less reliable and supportive, both economically and emotionally, and were more antisocial and abusive. The children of young mothers showed reduced educational attainment, were rated by multiple informants as having more emotional and behavioural problems, were at increased risk of maltreatment or harm, and showed higher rates of illnesses, accidents, and injuries.Young mothers today face difficulties known to have long-lasting effects for women and their children. Preventions that target young mothers may reduce harm to the physical health, mental health, and social status of future generations.

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Published In

Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines

DOI

EISSN

1469-7610

ISSN

0021-9630

Publication Date

September 2002

Volume

43

Issue

6

Start / End Page

727 / 742

Related Subject Headings

  • United Kingdom
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Pregnancy in Adolescence
  • Pregnancy
  • Mothers
  • Maternal Behavior
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Follow-Up Studies
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Moffitt, T. E., & E-Risk Study Team, . (2002). Teen-aged mothers in contemporary Britain. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines, 43(6), 727–742. https://doi.org/10.1111/1469-7610.00082
Moffitt, Terrie E., and Terrie E. E-Risk Study Team. “Teen-aged mothers in contemporary Britain.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines 43, no. 6 (September 2002): 727–42. https://doi.org/10.1111/1469-7610.00082.
Moffitt TE, E-Risk Study Team. Teen-aged mothers in contemporary Britain. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines. 2002 Sep;43(6):727–42.
Moffitt, Terrie E., and Terrie E. E-Risk Study Team. “Teen-aged mothers in contemporary Britain.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines, vol. 43, no. 6, Sept. 2002, pp. 727–42. Epmc, doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00082.
Moffitt TE, E-Risk Study Team. Teen-aged mothers in contemporary Britain. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines. 2002 Sep;43(6):727–742.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines

DOI

EISSN

1469-7610

ISSN

0021-9630

Publication Date

September 2002

Volume

43

Issue

6

Start / End Page

727 / 742

Related Subject Headings

  • United Kingdom
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Pregnancy in Adolescence
  • Pregnancy
  • Mothers
  • Maternal Behavior
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Follow-Up Studies