Purpose

Children of young parents are at elevated risk for child abuse and neglect due to myriad challenges. Despite the dual need for parenting support and mental health support, most literature and programs separate these and do not address maltreated parenting youths’ intergenerational context. The current study explores parenting and mental health needs as intertwined, uplifting experiences of young adult mothers with child maltreatment histories, professionals serving them, and mothers’ own caregivers.

Method

Through a community-engaged research process, this grounded theory study was co-conceptualized and conducted through a university-community-based organization partnership. We conducted in-depth interviews with 23 participants: nine young, maltreated mothers aged 18–25 (M = 20.9) years, 14 professionals and two caregivers. Data were collected in the community and analyzed using grounded theory methods. We transcribed each interview and analyzed the transcripts using a structured process of open, focus, axial, and selective/theoretical coding. Rigor was enhanced through several strategies including reflexivity and member checking.

Results

Grounded theory analysis produced a detailed model of the process of accessing and receiving mental health and parenting support among young, maltreated mothers, including (1) Reckoning with the Impact of Childhood and Adolescent Trauma on Mental Health and Parenting; (2) Reaching Out; (3) Receiving Parenting Support; (4) Receiving Mental Health Support; and (5) Seeking a Change.

Conclusions

Findings support a comprehensive approach for supporting young parents in improving the trajectories of their families through integrated approaches to parenting and mental health intervention.

中文翻译：

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受虐待的年轻父母的养育和心理健康需求：对预防代际虐待儿童的影响

目的

由于无数挑战，年轻父母的孩子面临虐待和忽视儿童的高风险。尽管对育儿支持和心理健康支持有双重需求，但大多数文献和计划将它们分开，并没有解决受虐待的育儿青年的代际背景。目前的研究探讨了育儿和心理健康需求，作为有虐待儿童历史的年轻母亲、为她们服务的专业人员以及母亲自己的照顾者的相互交织的、令人振奋的经历。

方法

通过社区参与的研究过程，这项扎根的理论研究被共同概念化，并通过基于大学-社区的组织合作伙伴关系进行。我们对 23 名参与者进行了深入访谈：9 名受虐待的年轻母亲，年龄在 18-25 岁（M = 20.9），14 名专业人员和 2 名护理人员。在社区收集数据并使用扎根理论方法进行分析。我们转录了每一次采访，并使用开放、专注、轴向和选择性/理论编码的结构化过程分析了成绩单。通过包括反身性和成员检查在内的多种策略来增强严谨性。

结果

扎根的理论分析产生了一个详细的模型，详细说明了受虐待的年轻母亲获得和接受心理健康和育儿支持的过程，包括（1）考虑童年和青少年创伤对心理健康和育儿的影响；(2) 伸出援手；(3) 接受育儿支持；（四）接受心理健康支持；(5) 寻求改变。

结论

研究结果支持采用综合方法支持年轻父母通过育儿和心理健康干预的综合方法改善其家庭轨迹。