Illegitimate conception among teenagers

Drug use as a risk factor for premarital teen pregnancy and abortion in a National Sample of Young White Women

The relationship between adolescent drug use and premarital teen pregnancy and abortion as a pregnancy outcome among sexually active women is investigated in a sample of white women from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Event history analysis is used to explore whether prior drug use has a unique effect on premarital teen pregnancy, with controls for personality, lifestyle, and biological factors. Logistic regression is used to estimate whether drug use affects the decision to terminate a premarital teen pregnancy. The results show that the risk of premarital teen pregnancy is nearly four times as high for those who have used illicit drugs other than marijuana as for those with no history of any prior substance involvement. Furthermore, illicit drug use increases the likelihood of an abortion by a factor of 5. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.

Drug use as a risk factor for premarital teen pregnancy and abortion in a national sample of young white women

The relationship between adolescent drug use and premarital teen pregnancy and abortion as a pregnancy outcome among sexually active women is investigated in a sample of white women from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Event history analysis is used to explore whether prior drug use has a unique effect on premarital teen pregnancy, with controls for personality, lifestyle, and biological factors. Logistic regression is used to estimate whether drug use affects the decision to terminate a premarital teen pregnancy. The results show that the risk of premarital teen pregnancy is nearly four times as high for those who have used illicit drugs other than marijuana as for those with no history of any prior substance involvement. Furthermore, illicit drug use increases the likelihood of an abortion by a factor of 5. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.

Do Black Family Headship Structures Make a Difference in Teenage Pregnancy? A Comparison of One-Parent and Two-Parent Families

"The black communities of the United States have a disproportionate number of single-parent families: In point of fact, over one half of all black families with children are single-parent families; the great majority of these single-parent families are headed by females. The fastest growing segment of single parent families is young never-married females who...have incomes below the poverty line. Using a causal model analysis, this particular study undertook to compare subsamples of continuous two-parent and one-parent families to find out what intra-familial dynamics 'cause' early versus late teenage pregnancy. The results suggest that positive child-parent affect is generally associated with delayed teenage pregnancy, and negative child-parent affect is generally associated with early teenage pregnancy. Moreover, the father's influence is significant in both two-parent and one-parent families."

Psychosocial and clinical variables in pregnant adolescents. A survey of maternity home residents

Substantial research exists about pregnant adolescents, but there are few studies focusing on this population in residential maternity homes. This survey was designed to gather data about demographic and clinical characteristics, self-esteem, and social support available to adolescents in two maternity homes in Los Angeles. Adolescents' attachment to their unborn fetus was also evaluated. The culturally diverse sample included 90 unmarried subjects between 14 and 19 years of age. Results suggest that adolescents in maternity homes possess many of the same attributes as pregnant adolescents in the larger community. Self-esteem scores of residents of the Self-Esteem Inventory (mean = 66.67) were similar to those reported in other studies of pregnant adolescents. There was great variation found in the quantity and quality of functional social support received by residents. Family (97.8%) and friends (78.8%) were identified as significant individuals in the social network of the residents. Although the majority of adolescents had not planned their pregnancy, their scores on the prenatal attachment questionnaire supported a positive affiliation with their fetus. Based on these findings, recommendations are offered for programs to facilitate the development of self-esteem and support-enhancing skills of pregnant adolescents living in residential maternity homes.

Pregnancy among schoolgirls in Nigeria

A study was made of 127 cases of schoolgirls with pregnancy-related problems who were admitted into three of the major hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria, over a 10-month period. The findings suggest that schoolgirl pregnancy in Benin City is found chiefly among teenage girls during the early years of secondary school. Lack of experience in family life and knowledge about contraceptive methods, coupled with poor parental control, are the major factors that put the young adolescent at risk of unwanted pregnancy. School drop-out and complications of illegally induced abortion are the most frequent and worst consequences of schoolgirl pregnancies. The provision of formal education on family life and effective and easily accessible family planning methods for the adolescent population are suggested as a means to reduce the rate of schoolgirl pregnancy.

Abortion in single girls in Hong Kong

Abortion in single girls in an increasing problem in Hong Kong. This paper is an attempt to look at the psychosocial factors in sexual behavior in a selected sample of girls. Of 100 girls requesting an abortion, 70% were educated to Form III level (grade 10 U.S. equivalent) and these did not come from broken or disturbed homes. The adequacy of their prepregnancy use of contraception was significantly and positively related to their level of formal education. These girls were all made pregnant by their boy-friends. Some aspects of their sexual behavior are described.

Social and psychological correlates of pregnancy resolution among adolescent women: a review

A review of the recent literature on pregnancy resolution among unmarried adolescent women suggests that those who seek and go through with an abortion do not comprise a "special" population, but are similar to their age mates in many of their social and psychological characteristics. Previous research does suggest, however, that teenage abortion patients differ from their term counterparts on a number of significant variables.

Precocious fathers

Based on available evidence, it appears reasonable to assume that the psychological and social consequences of becoming a father during adolescence are the same as those more traditionally associated with adolescent motherhood. Guidelines for research to enhance knowledge of this important but relatively neglected area are outlined.