Predictors of school retention among low-income adolescent mothers

Background: Adolescent childbearing has been consistently associated with poor economic, educational and health outcomes for mothers and their children. While consequences of adolescent motherhood are well documented in the literature, few studies have examined characteristics of young mothers who fare well in adulthood despite early childbearing. Studies have shown that high school graduation is a strong predictor of positive outcomes at adulthood among teen mothers. The aim of this study is to identify predictors of school retention among low-income teen mothers. Methods: Adolescent mothers under age 19 and their children were recruited into a quasi-experimental study evaluating the effectiveness of a Teen-Tot program in Washington, DC. Data analysis used baseline data (N=150) and included chi-square, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Additional analysis will examine results longitudinally over a 12-month period. Results: Ninety-nine percent of participants were African American, 70% received Medicaid, and 30% were not in school and had not graduated. Findings from adjusted logistic regression model show that those with only one child are six times as likely to be in school or have graduated compared to those with two or more children (AOR=6.15, 95%CI=1.83-20.63, p=.003). Additional statistically significantly predictors of staying in school include trying hard to not get pregnant, parents as main source of financial support, and high academic aspirations. Conclusion: Findings from this study can inform public health interventions to support young mothers to continue in school, a critical factor in breaking the intergenerational cycle of socioeconomic disadvantage that often accompanies teen childbearing.