"All the Men Here Have the Peter Pan Syndrome- They Don't Want to Grow Up": Navajo Adolescent Mothers' Intimate Partner Relationships-A 15-Year Perspective

• NCJ Number: 231525
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 16 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2010 Pages: 743-763
• Author(s): Rochelle L. Dalla; Alexandria M. Marchetti; Elizabeth A. Sechrest; Jennifer L. White
• Date Published: July 2010
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined Navajo adolescent mothers' intimate partner relationships during the transition to parenthood and identified key themes characterizing Navajo adolescent mothers' relationships with intimate partners through time.

Abstract

In 1992 and 1995, data were collected from 29 Navajo Native American adolescent mothers. In 2007 and 2008, data were collected from 21 of the original 29 (72 percent). Guided by feminist family theory, this investigation sought to (a) examine Navajo adolescent mothers' intimate partner relationships during the transition to parenthood, (b) identify themes in the young mothers' intimate partnerships across time, and (c) assess participants' psychosocial well-being in adulthood. Four themes emerged in the women's long-term intimate relationships: limited support, substance abuse, infidelity, and intimate partner violence. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed. Table and references (Published Abstract)