Positive Parenting and Sociodemographic Factors Related to the Development of Chilean Children Born to Adolescent Mothers

Abstract

The lack of economic resources has a negative effect on the maternal role of younger mothers. In Chile, the majority of adolescent pregnancies occur in socially and economically vulnerable contexts. The current study aimed to examine the relationship between demographic variables within the family context and parenting behaviors among Chilean adolescent mothers (including affection, responsiveness, encouragement, and teaching). These factors were correlated with communication, problem-solving abilities, and personal–social development in typically developing infants. The study included a sample of 79 Chilean adolescent mother–child dyads with children aged 10 to 24 months. Communication, problem-solving, and personal–social development were assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3, along with a demographic information questionnaire. The parenting behaviors mentioned above were observed using the Spanish version of Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes. The findings indicated that mothers in employment and those who had not dropped out of school had children with better problem-solving skills. Additionally, children residing with their fathers and female children performed better in communication, problem-solving, and personal–social development. Maternal responsiveness was associated with communication and problem-solving, while maternal encouragement was linked to improved problem-solving skills. Maternal teaching was connected to communication, problem-solving, and personal–social development. The study emphasized the significance of parenting and sociodemographic factors among adolescent mothers and their influence on their children’s development.

Keywords

• adolescent mothers
• positive parenting
• child development
• family sociodemographic factors