Service Utilization Patterns Among Adolescent Mothers Residing in Three-Generational Households

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study used in-depth interviews to better understand the social service experiences and identified needs of 26 demographically diverse adolescent mothers and their mothers, who resided together in three-generational households. Most dyads accessed community services, particularly parenting and emotional supports, financial and material assistance, and medical care, and desired short-term assistance related to their circumstances and newly expanded families, rather than long-term support. The most commonly identified barrier to service utilization involved income eligibility guidelines. In light of welfare reform policies and the current economic climate, this research underscores the need for transitional supports for families, including assistance with basic needs. In terms of implications for social work practice and future research, adolescent mothers may need formal supports as they pursue independence after they leave their mothers’ care. Future research could further explore, within other communities and longitudinally, whether these preliminary trends hold true.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescent mothers
• parenting supports
• service barriers
• social work practice
• three-generational households
• welfare reform policy

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to Dr. Steve Anderson for his support and thoughtful feedback in the creation and revision of this work.