A comparison of the postpartum learning needs of adolescent mothers and their mothers.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the postpartum learning needs of adolescent mothers and their mothers and to compare the differences between the learning needs of the 2 groups of women.

DESIGN

Descriptive cross-sectional survey design.

SETTING

One university hospital and 2 private Midwestern hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Convenience sample of 100 women (50 mother/daughter pairs).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postpartum teaching questionnaire-E, postpartum teaching questionnaire-F, and demographic questionnaire.

RESULTS

There were no group differences between adolescent mothers and their mothers on baby-care items, but there were group differences on 3 maternal-care items: emotional changes (p < .001), resumption of sexual activity (p < .001), and birth control (p = .009).

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses may need to use different teaching strategies for adolescent mothers and their mothers about resumption of sexual activity, but the teaching strategies necessary for other postpartum topics may be similar. Further research is needed to determine where those similarities may be and to determine the most effective teaching strategies for each group of mothers.