African-American teenage mothers and their mothers: An analysis of supportive and problematic interactions

Although past theory and research have emphasized the beneficial effects of maternal support for teenage mothers, this study suggests that adjustment to motherhood may be strongly influenced by relationship problems. Problems in mother-daughter relationships were negatively associated with psychological functioning and social adjustment. Age and economic strain were also related to psychosocial dysfunction. Those participants who were younger and who reported higher levels of economic strain reported higher levels of distress and adjustment difficulty. Contrary to expectations, maternal support was not significantly associated with the teenagers' psychosocial adjustment.