Behaviorial Profiles of Adolescent Mothers and Partners with Varying Intracouple Age Differences

Abstract

Three hundred twenty-one adolescent mothers (M= 17 years) and their partners were divided into three groups: those with an intracouple age discrepancy less than one year; those with an intracouple age discrepancy between 15 and 36 months; and those with an intracouple age discrepancy of more than 42 months. Compared with those couples with the smallest age discrepancies, those with the largest had known one another for a shorter period, and yet were more likely to have planned and responded positively to the pregnancy. At conception, they were more likely to have been either married or casually involved. The mothers in the large discrepancy group were significantly younger and reported a significantly greater incidence of a number of conduct disordered antisocial behaviors, including school problems (dropping out, behavior problems at school), alcohol, nicotine, and substance usage, and earlier sexual initiation. There were far fewer differences between fathers in the three groups than between mothers.

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