Risk chains over the life course among homeless urban adolescent mothers: Altering their trajectories through formal support

This qualitative study uses life course theory along with risk and resilience as a foundation from which to examine the life histories of 14 adolescent mothers recruited from an urban homeless shelter. Semi-structured individual interviews focused on exploring experiences with violence and adversity, adaptations and coping in response, and sources of support; we analyzed the data using a grounded theory approach involving open, axial, and selective coding. The key storyline that emerged is risk chains over the life course, including lack of family support and a turning point at early adolescence. Participants' adaptations to violence influenced their identity development, and formal support from the shelter staff facilitated critical protective processes as the young women transitioned to adulthood.