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Abstract

Little has been written about the role of the peer group in the lives of adolescent mothers. There has been speculation that an adolescent mother's peer relationships change as a result of pregnancy andparenthood. The literature indicates that peers become less able to provide a support system. Little empirical evidence has been provided to support this speculation. This study assessed a sample of 46 adolescent mothers on the amounts and types of supportprovided byfriends as compared to relatives and examined peer support in relation to parenting stress. The Inventory of Social Contacts measured levels of perceived child-rearing, emotional, and material support and interference from family and friends. The Parenting Stress Index assessed self-reported parenting stress arising from child and parent characteristics. Results of repeated-measures ANOVAs and Pearson correlations indicated that, as compared to family, friends provide more emotional support and less interference. Parenting stress is buffered more effectively by the support that is provided by friends.

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Peer Relationships as a Source of Support for Adolescent Mothers

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