Pregnant teenagers have been the focus of research and public debate over the past several decades. Most of the debate has been from the perspective of health care providers, academicians, and policy makers. Very few studies consider the perspectives of pregnant teenagers. Reasons for exclusion of teenage participants are complex and varied, but the importance of their contribution to the debate is critically important. This importance is underscored by the recent news that the number of teen pregnancies in the United States has declined, but even with this decline, the United States has a higher teen pregnancy rate than other comparable countries. The population of the United States consists of many diverse ethnic groups and cultures. Finding appropriate teen pregnancy prevention strategies that reflect the cultural values of these diverse communities will be accomplished only when the specific features and values of these communities are known. Pregnant teens representing these communities are the best informants of this specific information. The purpose of this paper is to pose and discuss ethical issues facing researchers who want to include pregnant teenagers as research participants and to describe the research risk threshold attributed to adolescent participation in qualitative research. Ethical issues described in this paper are based on a qualitative research project that sought to determine the most important factors influencing pregnant teens’ decision making processes and to generate an initial grounded theory of pregnant teens’ decision making processes.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the audience will be able to: 1. Discuss ethical questions specific to research subjects who are pregnant teenagers. 2. Describe processes that enhance research confidentiality. 3. Discuss the range of opinion regarding 'mature minors' assent to participate in social-behavioral research.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Ethics
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.