Prevalence and Risk Factors for Early Motherhood Among Low-Income, Maltreated, and Foster Youth

Early motherhood (defined as bearing a child prior to age 18 years) is a risk factor for many negative psychosocial and economic outcomes. Involvement with child protective services (CPS), defined as a child protection case being opened, has been associated with youth experiencing early motherhood, but due to the many confounding variables, the patterns between early motherhood and CPS involvement have not been clear. This study considered at what point youth became pregnant and compared this across several potential risk groups. Results indicate that youth who experience early motherhood and CPS involvement may have family dynamics that contribute to them becoming pregnant, rather than CPS involvement itself.