TY - JOUR
T1 - Adolescent Parents in the First Wave of the National Youth in Transition Database
AU - Shpiegel, Svetlana
AU - Cascardi, Michele
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015, Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2015/5/27
Y1 - 2015/5/27
N2 - Adolescent parenthood occurs with relative frequency among youth in the foster care system. Few studies describe the characteristics of adolescent parents in foster care, or compare male and female parents, particularly using large, national samples. The present study used data from the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD; N = 15,601) to document the number of foster youth who had children at age 17 years, the factors associated with adolescent parenthood, and the differences between male and female parents on general functioning indicators and use of Chafee services. Results revealed that 4% of males and 10% of females in the NYTD sample had children. Multivariate analyses indicated that for males and females alike, non-White race and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with increased likelihood of childbirth. Among males, the multivariate odds of being a parent increased substantially if they had a history of homelessness, substance abuse referral, or incarceration. Among females, only a history of incarceration was significantly associated with parenthood. Receiving Chafee-funded services was not related to either male or female parenthood. These findings highlight the high rates of adolescent parenthood among youth in foster care, particularly if other risk factors are also present. Practice implications and future research directions are discussed.
AB - Adolescent parenthood occurs with relative frequency among youth in the foster care system. Few studies describe the characteristics of adolescent parents in foster care, or compare male and female parents, particularly using large, national samples. The present study used data from the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD; N = 15,601) to document the number of foster youth who had children at age 17 years, the factors associated with adolescent parenthood, and the differences between male and female parents on general functioning indicators and use of Chafee services. Results revealed that 4% of males and 10% of females in the NYTD sample had children. Multivariate analyses indicated that for males and females alike, non-White race and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with increased likelihood of childbirth. Among males, the multivariate odds of being a parent increased substantially if they had a history of homelessness, substance abuse referral, or incarceration. Among females, only a history of incarceration was significantly associated with parenthood. Receiving Chafee-funded services was not related to either male or female parenthood. These findings highlight the high rates of adolescent parenthood among youth in foster care, particularly if other risk factors are also present. Practice implications and future research directions are discussed.
KW - adolescents
KW - foster care
KW - gender
KW - parenthood
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84938899737&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15548732.2015.1043687
DO - 10.1080/15548732.2015.1043687
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84938899737
SN - 1554-8732
VL - 9
SP - 277
EP - 298
JO - Journal of Public Child Welfare
JF - Journal of Public Child Welfare
IS - 3
ER -