Describes an under-recognized target population for adolescent pregnancy prevention: the younger sisters of childbearing teens. Data from several studies highlight several potential prepregnancy-risk characteristics that are particularly present in this group. These young women have disproportionately higher rates of early pregnancy and…

Analysis of data from a sample of women in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth shows that adolescent fertility substantially reduces years of formal education and work experience. These reductions in human capital have a significant effect on wages at age 25. (SK)

Describes a 20-year program of research on the Nurse Home Visitation Program, a model in which nurses visit mothers beginning at pregnancy and continuing through the children's second birthdays. Summarizes results of two randomized trials and concludes that the use of nurses as home visitors is key to program success. (SLD)

Students (N=697) from 20 schools in Missouri who identified themselves as not having had sex were surveyed. Results show the most frequent reasons for not having sex were related to fears of pregnancy and diseases. The least frequent reasons were related to problems concerning the cost and availability of birth control and protection. (Author/MKA)

Explores whether paid leave leads to longer or shorter interruptions of work. Results, based on a national survey, indicate that women with access to paid leave worked later into pregnancy, were less likely to work during the birth month, and started work sooner once the infant reached two months of age. (RJM)

Infertile couples' (N=131) consideration of options for dealing with infertility (medical help, adoption, fostering, alternative medicine, and focusing on other life goals) is studied. Options were related to specific motivations including altruistic motives for adoption or foster care. Results, timing of choices, and motivations are discussed.…

Retrospective reports of contraceptive use on two occasions of intercourse were used to examine change in contraceptive practice as a function of intervening pregnancy in a sample of 466 black adolescent females and white adolescent females. Improvements in contraceptive use and the effects of the passage of time are discussed for both racial…

Examines factors influencing the outcome of cohabitation first partnerships with men and women born in Britain in 1958. Results show that conception was a key factor in promoting marriage for both men and women. Findings also suggest that the role of cohabitation varies according to socioeconomic background. (Author/MKA)

Assessed the relationship of socioeconomic status (SES), family structure, and race/ethnicity to adolescent sexual behaviors that are key determinants of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Data from the 1992 Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicated that differences in adolescent sexual behavior by race and SES were not large enough to…

This multimethod study explored the promising link between organized sports involvement during the high school years and sexual behavior/health among 176 adolescent women. Using more sensitive and appropriate measures than those in existing studies and directed, in part, by cultural resource theory, this study helped to fill a gap in the…

The author discusses components essential to pregnancy-specific substance abuse treatment, based on a review of the literature. Elements and issues related to substance abuse during pregnancy are identified under the five social work intervention roles: teacher, broker, clinician, mediator, and advocate. The concepts and approaches presented in…

Cocaine use during pregnancy is a high-risk indicator for adverse developmental outcomes. Three levels of intervention (center, home, and primary care) were compared in a full service, birth to age 3, early intervention program serving children exposed to cocaine prenatally. Data were collected on 130 children from urban, predominantly poor,…

This prospective study examined the effects of maternal characteristics, social support, and risk factors on infant-mother attachment in a heterogeneous sample. Two hundred and six women between the ages of 18 and 40 were interviewed during their last trimester of pregnancy and 1 year postpartum. Structural equation modeling revealed that maternal…

A growing body of research challenges the popular characterization that young mothers are bad mothers. This article focuses on a group of girls and young women who were pregnant or mothers and who were engaged in a risky lifestyle through their heavy involvement in gangs, partying, and drinking. The authors examine the impact of the process of…

This research demonstrates how prior knowledge may allow for qualitative differences in representation of texts about controversial issues. People often experience a memory bias in favor of information with which they agree. In several experiments it was found that individuals with high prior knowledge about the topic were better able to recall…