Socioeconomic disadvantage accounts for most of the early childhood development gap among children of adolescent mothers: A cross-national analysis of 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries

Children of adolescent mothers face elevated risks of early childhood development (ECD) delay. Whether this reflects maternal age or the socioeconomic disadvantage that predisposes young women to early childbearing remains debated. We conducted a secondary analysis of Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey data (rounds 5 and 6, 2013-2022) from 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries, comprising 23,650 children aged 36-59 months. Using survey-weighted regression with cluster-robust standard errors, we examined associations between adolescent motherhood and ECD scores, discipline practices, and beliefs about physical punishment and partner violence. Children of adolescent mothers had lower weighted mean ECD scores in 11 countries. After adjusting for wealth, maternal education, and urban/rural residence, significant adverse associations persisted only in Paraguay and Suriname. Violent discipline was significantly higher among adolescent mothers only in Honduras after covariate adjustment. Adolescent mothers were significantly more likely to justify partner violence in Belize, Paraguay, and Suriname. Justification of partner violence was associated with lower ECD scores among non-adolescent mothers in the Dominican Republic and El Salvador. The ECD disadvantage associated with adolescent motherhood is largely accounted for by socioeconomic factors in most countries. Addressing poverty and gender inequity remains the most broadly applicable strategy for reducing ECD inequity in the region.