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Strengthening Social Support: Health Professionals' Views of the Health Care Needs of Adolescent Mothers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2015

Mary Breheny  and
Christine Stephens
Mary Breheny*
Affiliation:
School Of Psychology Massey University Palmerston North. M.R.Breheny@massey.ac.nz
Christine Stephens
Affiliation:
School Of Psychology Massey University Palmerston North.
*
*Address for correspondence: Mary Breheny, School of Psychology, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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Abstract

Health care and health outcomes for adolescent mothers and their children may be a result of a complex interaction between socioeconomic, psychological, and familial factors. To examine a health professional perspective on the important issues in providing health care for adolescent mothers, transcripts of seventeen interviews with health professionals were analysed. Social support was considered an important aspect influencing the health of adolescent mothers and their children. This included family support, peer support and organisational support. Opportunities for health professionals to promote good social support for young mothers include role modelling supportive care and supporting adolescents' decision making, providing referrals to peer support groups, and understanding barriers to accessing organisational support. The best outcome for adolescent mothers is when their role as mother is supported by the family and wider support network.

Type
Articles
Information
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , 01 September 2006 , pp. 63 - 72
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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