Adolescent Substance Use and Effects on the Birth Experience

Abstract

Depression, violence, and infant complications are recognized risk factors for negative birth experiences. Substance use, which often co-occurs with these risk factors, is unexplored for its role upon the birth experience. The frequency of these risk factors among childbearing adolescents suggests a need for research in this area. This study revealed direct and indirect effects by all risk factors on the adolescent’s birth experience. Implications for nursing practice suggest collaboration between maternal child health and mental health nurses in prenatal, hospital, and follow-up healthcare settings to provide essential assessment of risk factors and resources and referrals across the perinatal period.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

Past grant support included grants from Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), Small Grants Awards; Delta Theta Chapter, STTI, the University of Texas at Arlington; the Sharon Davies Memorial Awards, Freedom from Fear; and the Hispanic Center in Nursing and Health, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, University of Texas at Arlington.