Pregnancies in teens ages 15 and younger are increasing, despite a variety of prevention efforts. Children's Defense Fund stated that qualitative research is needed to gather information from the teens' perspectives to fill gaps in the literature and increase understanding of the phenomenon.
This research addressed the following questions: (1) What are the perceptions of young pregnant teens about themselves and their relationships with their families and male partners? (2) What commonalities and differences exist among young pregnant teens' descriptions of themselves and their relationships with their families and male partners? (3) Which of the perceptions of young pregnant teens correspond to, and which differ from findings in selected literature about teen pregnancy?
Jessor's Problem Behavior Theory was used as a framework. This theory indicated many variables which may result in proneness to engaging in problem behavior, including teen pregnancy. From among variables designated by Jessor's framework, those of self, family, and male partner emerged as probably relevant to teen pregnancy and as foci for data collection.
Fourteen questions were delineated and used as a guide to data collection. A convenience sample of ten pregnant teens ages 14 and 15 was recruited from urban and rural schools and clinics. One interview was conducted with each subject.
Data were analyzed with the assistance of an interdisciplinary team of reviewers, and responses to the interview questions were determined.
Findings included the facts that many in the sample were good students who valued education, were involved in athletics, and had educational plans which included high school and college. They had a strong preference for the alternative school setting.
The maternal grandmother apparently played a key role in the family; many of the teens' relationships with their male partners were tense before the pregnancies occurred; several of the male partners had problems with alcohol, violence, and the law; and there was a variety of family support available for the teens.
All of the subjects had information about sex and birth control. The prevalence of the dysfunctional family typified in the literature was also a theme for this sample.
