Supporting Young Students through Pregnancy and - PowerPoint Presentation

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Supporting Young Students through Pregnancy and ParenthoodHelena Mackenzie, PhD, LP, Mental Health SpecialistSlide2

Presentation OverviewDiscuss transition to parenthoodExplore unique challenges of young parents and factors associated with better outcomes

Share key elements of parenting programs specific to young parents and review elements common to general parenting programs

Small group discussion regarding case scenarios and assisting young parents in the Job Corps communitySlide3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx8S9AKb_oM Slide4

Transition to ParenthoodStandard to focus on physical needs during pregnancy (prenatal health, birth process, breastfeeding)Less discussion of the emotional and relational challenges inherent in transitioning to parenthood

Little to no education about parenting Slide5

Challenges in Transitioning to ParenthoodHuge philosophical shift

From “me” to “we,” new identity as mother/fatherMany physiological and physical changesSleep deprivation and exhaustionIntimacy declines

Body image concerns for many womenRelationships changeConflict intensifies (feeding, diapers, daycare, time to self, finances)

Divide between father and motherRealistic expectations can soften blow of parenthood

Source:

Gottman

, J., Schwartz

Gottman

, J. (2007) And Baby Makes Three. Crown; New York, NY.Slide6

Group Activity: Before Baby ArrivesExercise to help develop realistic expectations about the transition to parenthood

Work/schoolSleep/personal careEat/cook

Household (laundry, cleaning)Hobbies/social/friendship timeIntimacy/partner timeFamily timeOther

From: Bringing Baby Home Workshop, John

Gottman

, PhDSlide7

Does Young Motherhood = Negative Consequences?Large number of pregnant and parenting teensIn US, 34% of young women pregnant prior age 20In US, 11% of all births are to adolescent mothers

Approximately a half million births to teen mothers annually95% of teen pregnancies are “unplanned.” Majority of teen mothers (80-90%) are unmarried, many are “single parents” living with their own parentsEarly

research: negative outcomes for young parents, but based largely on risk factors correlated with teen mothersRecent research: many negative factors predate pregnancy

Source: Savio Beers, LA., Hollo

, R. (2009). Approaching the Adolescent-Headed Family: A Review of Teen Parenting.

Current Problems Pediatric Adolescent Health Care.

39 (3), 21-233.Slide8

Risk Factors of Pregnant Teens Prior to PregnancyLiving in povertyLiving in distressed communitiesHistory of unprotected sex

Less supervision by familyDrug/alcohol useHigher rates of childhood sexual victimizationHigher school drop out rates/lower educational attainmentSlide9

Unique Characteristics of Adolescence That May Cause Parenting DifficultiesYearning for autonomy and independence at a time when…

Tend to be egocentric and in search of “self” at a time when…“Trying out” and learning about relationships (intimate and friendships

) at a time when…Slide10

Continued: Unique Challenges of Adolescent ParentsFocusing on completing school/job training at time when… Learning

about one’s emotions and emotion regulation at a time when…Becoming more cognitively mature and responsible in problem solving and reasoning

at a time when…Slide11

Compared To Adult Parents, Young Parents Often Have:

Less understanding of normal child developmentMore

difficulty reading infant cuesMore problems empathizing with childLess

knowledge of parenting strategies; less monitoring of kidsHigher levels of parenting stressMore prone to physical discipline (possibly at higher risk of neglect and abuse of children)Slide12

Protective Factors Tied to Better Parenting OutcomesGreater cognitive maturityHigh

self efficacy and self esteemStrong social support networkPositive relationship with child’s grandmother and father

Participation in supportive parenting programStable mental health

Limited subsequent pregnanciesEarly childcare assistanceAbility

to pursue educational/career goalsSlide13

Pregnancy and Birth of Child Fosters Motivation for ChangeMotivated to make behavior changes to create healthy environment for childExcellent

time for intervention and educationSlide14

Parenting Programs for Young Adults Versus “Regular” Parenting ProgramsYoung adults have unique needs

Effective teen and young adult parenting programs differ from “typical” parenting programs in at least five basic waysSlide15

5 Key Elements of Adolescent and Young Adult Parenting Programs1. Intensive, hands-on practical supportBegin support and education as early as possible, ideally

during pregnancyBuild trust and nurturanceIdentify resources (childcare, financial, legal, housing) and help coordinate careEducate about family planning and impact of substance use on baby in

utero and postnatalSlide16

5 Key Elements of Adolescent and Young Adult Parenting Programs

Use collaborative teaching methods, not “expert” model Young parents more likely to “rebel” from direct advice Building self confidence and self efficacy is key

Benefit of video demonstration/ role playExplore parenting concepts in personal contextGroup format ideal, build social supportSlide17

5 Key Elements of Adolescent and Young Adult Parenting Programs3. Explore life goals and

build social problem solving skillsIdentify life dreams in core areas: education, personal relationships, parenting, careerList challenges standing between adolescent and dreamsIdentify strengths/resources adolescent already has to assist with challenges

Line up dreams, challenges, and strengths and identify possible plans/strategiesMake a plan for action by identifying smaller tasksEncourage action!

Source: Harris, M.B., & Franklin, C. (2008). Taking Charge. Oxford University Press, New York, NY.Slide18

5 Key Elements of Adolescent and Young Adult Parenting Programs4. Model ways to connect with children, focus on strengthsProvide information about infant social interaction

Discuss importance of play (play is a child’s work)Practice child-directed play Child chooses activity; parent follows lead. Parent as “sportscaster,” describing events without asking questions or giving commands Slide19
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5. Discuss depression, stress, and anger management10-15% of all women experience post partum depression within first year of birth of childAdolescent moms twice as likely to become depressed as adult moms

Normalize stress of parentingNeed for preventative self care plan (healthy eating, exercise, relaxation, sharing feelings, etc.) and “emergency plan” for when “flooded” or highly stressedDiscuss impact of anger on parenting and coping

Many mothers feel ashamed and don’t ask for help

5 Key Elements of

Adolescent and Young Adult

Parenting Programs

Source: Deal, L.W. & Holt, V.L. (1998). Young maternal age and depressive symptoms: Results from the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey.

American Journal of Public Health,

88, 266-270Slide21
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5 Elements of ALL Parenting Programs1. Discuss timeline of infant/toddler development to foster realistic expectations

0-5 months: babies communicate by crying, day/night can be confused, suck to self soothe, reach for objects6-12 months: social referencing begins, first words, crawling begins, walking may begin, specific attachments and stranger anxiety begins12-24 months: two word sentences, separation anxiety begins, control struggles, toddler has egocentric view of world. Often too early for toilet!Slide23

5 Elements of ALL Parenting Programs2. Discipline Starts with Praise

Praise and encouragement help kids master new skills and teaches desirable actionEffective praise:Specific: “I like the way you said thank you”Contingent: given immediately after behaviorDone with enthusiasm!!!!!

Avoid tagging on criticism to praiseSlide24

5 Elements of ALL Parenting ProgramsTangible reinforcement: motivate positive behavior with concrete rewards (“start behaviors”)

Use concrete rewards less often than social rewardsBe specific about behavior to be rewardedMake a goal “doable”

Tackle only one or two behaviors at a timeSmall frequent rewards work best Show child you anticipate successSlide25

5 Elements of ALL Parenting Programs4. Importance of structure and limit setting

Teaches kids appropriate behavior and helps them feel safe (“stop behaviors”)Kids will test limits, especially if limits set inconsistentlyPick battles carefully, many behaviors disappear through ignoringAllow natural consequences

Teach effective use of time-out: no emotion, few wordsSlide26

5 Elements of ALL Parenting Programs5. Openly discuss pros/cons of spanking

Short term: very effective in stopping behaviorLong term: Parents model aggression; children learn aggressive response when frustrated, unhappySpanking tends to leave child with no remorse for behavior. Behave with parents; misbehave elsewhere. Learn to hide/lie about misbehavior to avoid spanking

Loss of control while spanking increases risk of abuse; guilt following may lead to inappropriate overcompensatingSlide27

Group ActivityDiscuss challenges on Job Corps

centers related to pregnant or parenting studentsShare current strategies Job Corps centers

are using to assist young parentsExplore future directions for supporting young parents at Job CorpsSlide28

Scenarios19 year old, motivated Job Corps student becomes pregnant early in

Job Corps training

22-year-old Job Corps student with two year old child appears overly harsh in parenting on center

20-year-old male Job Corps student appears depressed and shares desire for contact with 2-year-old child, but mother of child refuses to allow him contact