Abusive Romantic Relationships among Adolescent and Young Adult Mothers

The associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) and mental health among adolescents and young adults were compared in the current study. The connections among marriage status, Latino heritage and abusive experiences were also analyzed. 672 women including 282 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 and 390 young adults aged 20 or 21 participated in the study. Significant correlations were discovered between anxiety and depression symptoms among adolescents while anxiety and IPV, anxiety and depression, depression and IPV were all significantly correlated among young adults. In addition, IPV and marriage status as well as marriage status and Latina heritage were significantly correlated among young adults. No significant findings came from linear or logistic regressions conducted with the adolescent data but, among young adults, linear regressions with IPV as the dependent variable led to significant relationships between IPV and marital status. In addition, logistic regressions indicated significant links in the young adult data between IPV and depression and anxiety symptoms. IPV during adolescence may be a different phenomenon than adult IPV or mental health symptoms may be latent variables that are reported later in life. Prevention programs for adolescents as well as young adults are encouraged.