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Monica Cheriyan, MPH, Maternity Care Coalition, 2000 Hamilton Street, Suite 205, Philadelphia, PA 19130, 2159720700, mcheriyan@momobile.org, Nathalie A. Bartle, EdD, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Mail Stop 660, 245 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192, and Heidi Worley, MA, Research, Education and Advocacy, Maternity Care Coalition, 2000 Hamilton Street, Suite 205, Philadelphia, PA 19130.
Research on adolescent mothers has traditionally focused on the reasons for the index pregnancy and birth, but there is an increasing interest in exploring the factors that may influence repeat childbearing amongst adolescent girls. Nationwide repeat births represent more than one in five births to adolescents. First-time adolescent motherhood has been associated with dropping out of school, ill-health effects for the child and the mother, and a poor socioeconomic forecast; the consequences are even more dire for those families in which the mother has subsequent children during her adolescence. This study describes patterns of self-efficacy, personal values, family history and environment amongst adolescent non-repeat and repeat childbearers. A convenience sample of 60 adolescent childbearers was drawn from Maternity Care Coalition’s MOMobile® program. Subjects completed a five-section, self-administered questionnaire. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed statistically and by content coding, respectively. Both analyses showed that self-efficacy indirectly affects repeat childbearing by influencing behaviors that result in another conception. Repeat childbearers were more likely to want financial stability, demonstrate less school commitment, and have more self-directed personal values than non-repeats. Moreover, a higher percentage of familial teenage pregnancy was discovered among repeat childbearers. While all four factors have some measure of influence on the occurrence of repeat pregnancies among teenagers in this sample, self-efficacy and personal values seem to have a stronger influence than family history and environment. A variety of stakeholders from public benefits advocates to school officials need to be involved in trying to reduce the incidence of repeat pregnancies.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Adolescents, Teen Pregnancy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.