Little is known about adolescent mothers who are homeless during pregnancy and motherhood. This study is a review of the epidemiological literature about this increasing phenomenon. Articles were identified by searching the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, Lilacs, SciELO, PsychINFO, CINHAL, ERIC and Sociological Abstracts; 19 studies were retrieved. The studies showed a wide heterogeneity of objectives and methods, and mainly revealed that the teenagers have high rates of substance abuse, mental disorders, lack of social support, sexual behavior, physical and sexual violence, and troublesome pregnancy and mother-child interaction. Our methodological review found few articles about this population. Homeless adolescent mothers are extensively exposed to violence, drug abuse, and risk of physical and mental health problems. Further studies are needed about this topic, mainly involving culturally different populations, focusing on stigma and intervention methods for this group of women.
Homeless adolescent; teenage pregnancy; motherhood
