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  • Title: Family environment, affect, ambivalence and decisions about unplanned adolescent pregnancy.
    Author: Warren KC, Johnson RW.
    Journal: Adolescence; 1989; 24(95):505-22. PubMed ID: 2801277.
    Abstract:
    This study investigated the relationships among family environment, demographic measures, the decisions made by unintentionally pregnant adolescents regarding postdelivery plans and the certainty with which these decisions were made. Subjects were 175 pregnant adolescents, ages 14 through 22, who intended to carry their pregnancies to term. Greater uncertainty was associated with living with both natural parents or with mother only. Higher levels of negative affect were related to lower levels of perceived family cohesion, independence, expressiveness, and intellectual-cultural orientation. Age, trimester of pregnancy, and family constellation also were related to levels of negative affect. Discriminant analysis revealed that subjects choosing adoption were more likely to be older and to be white than were those choosing to keep the child. They also tended to perceive higher levels of expressiveness and independence in their families. The implications of these findings for the delivery of services and for future research efforts in this area are discussed. This study investigated the relationships among family environment, demographic measures, the decisions made by unintentionally pregnant adolescents regarding postdelivery plans and the certainty with which these decisions were made. Subjects were 175 pregnant adolescents, aged 14-22, who intended to carry their pregnancies to term. 70% of the sample was obtained from southern California; the remainder was from north central Texas. Greater uncertainty was associated with living with both natural parents or with mother only. Higher levels of negative affect were related to lower levels of perceived family cohesion, independence, expressiveness and intellectual cultural orientation. Age, trimester of pregnancy, and family constellation also were related to levels of negative affect. Discriminant analysis revealed that subjects choosing adoption were more likely to be older an to be white than were those choosing to keep the child. They also tended to perceive higher levels of expressiveness and independence in their families. In the future, to better understand the influence of the living situation of the pregnant adolescent, a more sensitive measurement technique, such as interviewing and history taking, is necessary. Information could be obtained about when and how often certain family events occurred, such as divorce, remarriage, leaving home and death. Additionally, intensive assessment technique, observational methods which allow for direct study of family interactions will provide information about alliances within the family and role expectations for the various members. Finally, further examination of unplanned adolescent pregnancy at the levels of culture, family and individual is needed.
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