Autumn M. Bermea

“Students Getting Pregnant Are Not Gonna Go Nowhere” Manifestations of Stigma in Adolescent Mothers’ Educational Environment

The purpose of this study was to examine adolescent mothers’ perceptions of how individuals within the schools viewed them and how those views shaped their educational experiences. The sample consisted of 83 primarily Hispanic adolescent mothers who participated in one of 19 semi-structured focus group interviews during the 2014-2015 school year. Although we did not specifically explore stigma, the adolescent mothers described feeling stigmatized by school personnel and their non-parenting classmates. They also discussed how school policies were not conducive to parenting. Based on the results, recommendations are provided that will help school personnel effectively meet the needs of this population by creating an atmosphere in which the students feel safe, supported, and are able to learn.

Queerness and Dating Violence Among Adolescent Mothers in Foster Care

Adolescent mothers, queer, and foster youth are all groups at heightened vulnerability for teen dating violence victimization. It is unknown how mothers in residential foster care perceive and experience violence within same-sex relationships. Literature suggests, however, that violence within these contexts may be met by minimization and even denial on behalf of practitioners (e.g., social workers) who may not have a comprehensive understanding of how to best serve queer clients, especially clients who may not be automatically perceived as queer (e.g., adolescent mothers). The present study utilized a mixed qualitative methodological approach to triangulate the perspectives of program staff (n = 12) who worked at a residential foster care facility through individual interviews with the views and experiences of adolescent mother residents (n = 13) through two focus groups. By taking a queer theoretical perspective, this study interpreted the fluid sexual performativity and viewpoints concerning violence victimization among foster care mothers within the context of a heteronormative service provision model. Specifically, we found that the meaning of relationships between mothers was minimized and violence between same-sex dating partners was interpreted as normative peer conflict. Such findings run contrary to youths’ experiences and perspectives, which holds important ramifications for practitioner–client interaction and service delivery.

Mental and Active Preparation: Examining Variations in Women’s Processes of Preparing to Leave Abusive Relationships

Although the process of leaving abusive relationships has received increased research attention, preparing to leave is still largely understudied. Despite an emphasis on safety planning, not all women take active steps to prepare, and the characteristics and experiences of those who do or do not actively prepare are unknown. We address this gap with a secondary data analysis of interviews with 25 abused mothers in the process of leaving. All women initially engaged in mental planning, where they had emotionally disconnected from their partners. Using constructivist grounded theory techniques, we identified two distinct groups: those whose mental planning led to active planning (n = 11), and those who moved directly from mental planning to leaving (n = 14) with little time or need to actively plan. The groups differed on several individual, relationship, and child factors, which may have impacted the ability or decisions to prepare. This study supports the feminist view that survivors are not helpless victims but active agents who strategize for safety. Those who engage solely in mental planning still prepare to leave, even if they do not engage in active planning. Practitioners should consider factors affecting preparations and acknowledge mental planning as a necessary effort in leaving.

An Exploratory Analysis of Unhealthy and Abusive Relationships for Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses Living in Supportive Housing

Individuals living with serious mental illness are at high risk of chronic homelessness, victimization, and intimate partner violence. In recent years, supportive housing programs have emerged as one way to prevent homelessness and victimization for this population, while also expanding social interactions and social networks. In concert with a focal supportive housing program, this research conducted two focus groups with 18 individuals who have a serious mental illness diagnosis. The authors sought to answer the research question, “What are perceptions of healthy and unhealthy relationships among formerly homeless people with serious mental illness?” To this end, the eight-item questionnaire was created around dimensions of power and control, as well as relationship equality. Findings from an inductive thematic analysis reveal three broad families of themes (relationship ideals, lived experiences, and risk/resources in supportive housing), around which smaller themes and subthemes are organized. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are also discussed.

“She Controlled Everything That I’d Do”: A Qualitative Exploration of Relationship Abuse Experienced by Adolescent Fathers

Adolescent parents are vulnerable to dating abuse, yet few studies have investigated abuse experienced by adolescent fathers. The purpose of the present study was to explore adolescent fathers’ perceptions of the dating abuse victimization they experienced by the mothers of their children. Twelve in-depth interviews with predominately Hispanic fathers were analyzed using thematic analysis methods. The most common themes to emerge from the narratives were emotional abuse, social control, using the children (i.e., threatening to take the child away or refusing to let the fathers see their child), and physical abuse. The fathers outlined a series of subthemes within each larger theme in order to provide rich descriptions of their experiences. Findings suggest that, just as adolescent parents are at a crossroads of developmental tasks, they are also experiencing abusive behaviors found in both adolescent (social control) and adult (using the children) relationships. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Exposure to gangs in low-income urban communities and substance use among Hispanic youth

Abstract A third of Hispanic youth live below the poverty line, making them vulnerable for exposure to gangs, substances, and violence, all of which have been associated with substance use. The aim of the present study was to test the link between these variables, using a multiple mediation model. Results suggest that the relationship between gang exposure and adolescent substance use was mediated by both access to substances and exposure to violence. Findings provide insight into how gang exposure impacts outcomes for low-income youth. Implications for prevention and policy are discussed.

Community coalitions as spaces for collective voice, action, and the sharing of resources

This study examined how a community coalition, focused on prevention efforts, can aid in bridging resources between community organizations in a resource-deprived area. We also explored how it may serve as a venue to support significant changes to the community, adults, and youth who live there. Drawing on 18 individual interviews with adult coalition members from various community organizations, in a large, underserved city in the northeastern United States, we examined these data for narrations of the coalitions place within the broader prevention community and how the coalition may be an organizational venue for collective voice. We were specifically interested in hearing if these adult community members saw the coalition as filling a gap within their community. Our data revealed that while organizations within the community have been decimated due to reduced funding, the present coalition aided in meeting a variety of needs. These needs included the facilitation of community voice while helping to bridge resources between organizations, which would otherwise work alone.

The Relationship between Sexual Minority Status and Suicidal Ideations among Urban Hispanic Adolescents

ABSTRACT Youth identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ), and more specifically Hispanic youth identifying as LGBTQ, experience suicidal ideation (SI) at disproportionate rates. Furthermore, adolescents identifying as LGBTQ are likely to experience high rates of bullying, depression, and limited social support, increasing SI. Counselors often have difficulty working with youth at the intersection of sexual and ethnic minority statuses. Using structural equation modeling techniques, the present study examined sexual minority status as a predictor of school bullying, depression, social support, and SI, among urban Hispanic youth (N = 538). The authors also tested social support as a buffering mechanism.

A Content Analysis of the First Decade of the Journal of GLBT Family Studies

ABSTRACT The emergence of several specialized journals that examine the experiences of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) individuals, families, and communities, particularly the Journal of GLBT Family Studies, has profoundly shaped GLBT research. Engaging in taking stock activities helps to identify trends on which future research should focus to further develop the field. For example, scholars suggest critical analysis of journal publications is necessary for field development, which was done here. Specifically, this content analysis examines the first decade of publications appearing in the Journal of GLBT Family Studies from 2005 to 2015 (N = 233) to identify trends in theoretical foundations, methodological plurality, and inclusivity. Results revealed foci on experiences of GLBT adults. Studies focused less on issues unique to GLBT populations (i.e., stigma). Qualitative designs and primarily White, middle-class samples were most frequently used. Strengths and future opportunities are discussed.