The Role of Neighborhood Disadvantage and Family Structure During Adolescence in Young Adults’ Experiences of Multiple Partner Fertility (MPF)

Abstract

Families in the United States have become more complex, with an increasing number of individuals having children with multiple partners, called multiple partner fertility (MPF). MPF has significant negative consequences for the well-being of adults and children. Understanding the correlates of MPF, particularly how familial and community constructs affect the fertility outcomes of youth, has important implications for prevention and intervention. However, while many studies have examined these constructs, few have looked at them together. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; N = 8,678), this study uses a prospective design to examine how family structure and level of community disadvantage experienced by youth predict MPF in young adulthood. Using multilevel, mixed effects modeling, we find that family structure appears to play a role in influencing the fertility outcomes of youth, more so than community poverty. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.