“The love that I was missing”: Exploring the lived experience of motherhood among teen mothers in foster care

Aparicio, Elizabeth M.; Pecukonis, Edward; O'Neale, Shalita

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.02.002

Cited by 76 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…These difficulties may be especially pronounced among those youth who parent children, given the confluence of negative outcomes associated with both early parenthood and “aging‐out” of foster care (Shpiegel & Cascardi, ; Combs et al, ). The pressures of caring for young children, coupled with a lack of adequate skills, resources, and supports, are among the challenges faced by young mothers as they approach and negotiate the transition to independent adulthood (Aparicio, Pecukonis, & O'Naele, ; Shpiegel & Cascardi, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The functional patterns of adolescent mothers leaving foster care: Results from a cluster analysis

Shpiegel

Aparicio

King

et al. 2019

Child & Family Social Work

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Few studies have explored the outcomes of adolescent mothers leaving foster care, especially using person‐oriented methods. The current study employed a cluster analysis to identify unique patterns of functioning among adolescent mothers aged 19 (n = 777). Data from the National Youth in Transition Database and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System were utilized. Findings revealed five subpopulations characterized by distinct constellations of outcomes at age 19. The largest group (43%) exhibited competent functioning across all the domains studied—its members were connected to school and/or employment and did not experience homelessness, substance abuse referrals, or incarceration during the past 2 years (i.e., “resilient”). A relatively small group (12%) exhibited challenges across all the above‐referenced domains, whereas the remaining groups presented challenges in some domains, but not in others. Follow‐up analyses revealed that adolescent mothers classified as resilient at age 19 had the lowest rates of congregate care placements and the highest rates of nonrelative foster care placements at age 17. Moreover, they had lower placement instability and higher rates of extended foster care as compared with members of the other clusters. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The functional patterns of adolescent mothers leaving foster care: Results from a cluster analysis

Shpiegel

Aparicio

King

et al. 2019

Child & Family Social Work

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“…We contend that this legislative framework provides a promising foundation from which to review and develop sexual health policy and practice 'with' rather than 'for' young people in state care. Previous research has repeatedly emphasised the importance of learning from and being led by young people, identified concerns for privacy, deficits in supportive networks, and highlighted the need to improve access to appropriate sex education and sexual health advice (Corylon and McGuire 1999;Love et al 2005;Chase et al 2009;James et al 2009;Connolly et al 2012;Svoboda et al 2012;Aparicio et al 2015;Ahrens et al 2016;Hyde et al 2015;Winter et al 2016). Likewise, best practice guidelines have sought to overcome divergent views of young people and professionals in respect to the delivery of sex education (Pound et al 2017) and extending this work with specific reference to the needs of young people in state care would likely be beneficial.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual health outcomes for young people in state care: Cross-sectional analysis of a national survey and views of social care professionals in Wales

Roberts

Long

Young

et al. 2018

Children and Youth Services Review

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This paper draws upon data from two separate studies to consider sexual health outcomes for young people in state care in Wales. Cross sectional analysis of the School Health Research Network Survey (2015) examined sexual health behaviours and outcomes of young people in foster care compared to those living in private households. The findings are contextualised with qualitative data (collected 2016) from social care professionals about their practice experiences of supporting sexual health development and seeking to prevent early pregnancy for young people in state care. Findings suggest that young people in state care in Wales experience poorer sexual health outcomes compared to those not in care. Insights from professionals suggest that whilst the state care system has the potential to identify and respond to young people's needs, its effectiveness can be compromised by issues of resources, value-based judgements related to the age at which young people could and should be sexually active, and individual choice and determinism. It is suggested that statutory monitoring of sexual health related outcomes is required, together with a review of policy and practice 'with', rather than 'for', young people in state care. Finally it is argued that increased attention on the quality as well as the quantity of relationships young people in state care have with carers and professionals may provide a simple but powerful policy approach in continued efforts to secure parity in respect of sexual health and development. review]. At the time of the 2015 survey, network schools represented just over half (N=113; 53%) of all secondary schools in Wales (N=212), with representation in all 22 local authority areas. Schools were recruited to the network through three mechanisms. Firstly, those participating in the Welsh Health Behaviour in School-aged

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“…A final set of themes and subthemes across cases emerged. The findings presented here were originally analysed as a subtheme of a larger model of the phenomenology of motherhood, originally conceptualized as part of the participants' experience of New Beginnings (Aparicio, Pecukonis & O'Neale ). Yet, the findings were so rich, particular in their meaning and had such implications for preventing intergenerational child maltreatment grounded in foster youth's perspectives that they were analysed again.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clearly, when teen birth occurs, it is critical to give CWS-involved teen mothers the best start possible to maximize opportunity and minimize risk (Aparicio, Pecukonis & O'Neale 2015). This begs the question: how?…”

Section: Youth Perspectives Of Teen Pregnancy and Parenting In Child mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When asked about their experiences, teenage mothers in foster care paint a complex picture of both risk and opportunity (Rolfe ). Whereas they acknowledge that early parenting creates or exacerbates a host of stressors, it also provides opportunities for relationships and a sense of purpose (Aparicio, Pecukonis & O'Neale ; Pryce & Samuels ; Rolfe ). As one teen mother stated of her experience of motherhood in foster care (Aparicio, Pecukonis & O'Neale ),

[When I became a mother] everything changed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

‘I want to be better than you:’ lived experiences of intergenerational child maltreatment prevention among teenage mothers in and beyond foster care

Aparicio

2016

Child & Family Social Work

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The growing body of research on teenage motherhood in foster care has largely focused on the risks involved for both mother and child, yet these mothers depict a much more complex picture of their own experience of becoming and being mothers. The current study employed interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore 18 in-depth, qualitative interviews from six participants on the meaning and experience of motherhood among teenage mothers in foster care and in the years immediately after ageing out. This study focused on a particular dimension of motherhood: participants' efforts to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect with their own children. Two themes emerged as characteristic of these experiences: (i) treating children well/parenting differently and avoiding the system; and (ii) reducing isolation and enhancing support. Given the increased likelihood of the children of teen mothers -particularly those who have been maltreated -becoming involved with the child welfare system, study findings suggest possible strategies for disrupting cycles of intergenerational child welfare involvement generated by young mothers themselves. Practice implications for addressing possible substance abuse, mental health and relational and parenting needs are discussed.

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“The love that I was missing”: Exploring the lived experience of motherhood among teen mothers in foster care

Cited by 76 publications

References 28 publications

The functional patterns of adolescent mothers leaving foster care: Results from a cluster analysis

The functional patterns of adolescent mothers leaving foster care: Results from a cluster analysis

Sexual health outcomes for young people in state care: Cross-sectional analysis of a national survey and views of social care professionals in Wales

‘I want to be better than you:’ lived experiences of intergenerational child maltreatment prevention among teenage mothers in and beyond foster care

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