The relationship between social support and adolescent mothers' interactions with their infants: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to statistically summarize the results of independent quantitative studies regarding the relationship between social support and adolescent mothers' interactions with their infants.

DATA SOURCES: The following sources were selected from 1980 to 1999: citations from bibliographies of previously located articles, dissertations abstracts, the Social Sciences Citation Indexes, and researchers at a regional conference; online sources used were CINHAL, MEDLINE, ERIC, Psych Lit, and Social Work Abstracts.

STUDY SELECTION: Of a potential sample of 31 studies, 14 were excluded because they did not meet the sampling criteria, and 4 were deleted as outliers. The final sample consisted of 13 studies.

DATA EXTRACTION: Each study was coded for methodologic and substantive variables, including quality indicators.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Most of the studies were cross sectional in design and used a variety of measures. Together, the studies included a sample of 823 mothers.

CONCLUSIONS: A medium effect size and a significant relationship between social support of adolescent mothers and their interactions with their infants were established. No difference was found in the relationship when support was provided by the family or through a network.