Which factor is a reason why adolescent parents are at greater risk for abusing their newborns?

Which factor is a reason why adolescent parents are at greater risk for abusing their newborns?

• A. The pregnancy may be unplanned or unwanted
• B. Adolescents continue substance use after birth
• C. The infant mortality rate is low
• D. Education becomes more important than parenting

Answer: (A)

Unplanned or unwanted pregnancy creates stress and a sense of unpreparedness that is more common among adolescent parents. This combination often brings financial strain, disrupted sleep, limited parenting skills, and reduced support, which can overwhelm coping resources and increase the likelihood of frustration expressed as abusive behavior toward the newborn. The focus here is on how the pregnancy’s unplanned nature amplifies risk factors like stress and lack of readiness, making abuse more probable. Substance use after birth can contribute to risk, but the core issue linked to why adolescent parents are at greater risk lies in the stress and inexperience associated with an unplanned pregnancy. An infant mortality rate being low isn’t a driver of abuse, and education becoming more important than parenting isn’t a factor that explains higher abuse risk in adolescents; education generally supports better parenting.

Unplanned or unwanted pregnancy creates stress and a sense of unpreparedness that is more common among adolescent parents. This combination often brings financial strain, disrupted sleep, limited parenting skills, and reduced support, which can overwhelm coping resources and increase the likelihood of frustration expressed as abusive behavior toward the newborn. The focus here is on how the pregnancy’s unplanned nature amplifies risk factors like stress and lack of readiness, making abuse more probable.

Substance use after birth can contribute to risk, but the core issue linked to why adolescent parents are at greater risk lies in the stress and inexperience associated with an unplanned pregnancy. An infant mortality rate being low isn’t a driver of abuse, and education becoming more important than parenting isn’t a factor that explains higher abuse risk in adolescents; education generally supports better parenting.