Examined initial parenting attitudes of 28 pregnant adolescents. Pregnant adolescents scored significantly lower on "expectations for children" construct of Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory than all groups of controls. Adolescents who placed babies for adoption had significantly lower scores on role-reversal measure; differences between…

Examines the opinions of several experts on the safety of weight training during pregnancy, noting that no definitive research on weight training alone has been done. Experts agree that low-intensity weight training probably poses no harm for mother or fetus; exercise programs should be individualized. (SM)

Examined relationship between childhood sexual victimization and adolescent pregnancy by interviewing 41 rural mothers who had been pregnant teenagers. Of respondents, 54% reported having been sexually abused by age 18. Victims' self-perceptions and relationships with others appeared to have suffered because of abuse, but few significant…

Some infants experience unusual stress from pregnancy through the postnatal period and are especially called upon to exercise coping responses. Discusses unusual stressors, how the infant naturally copes with them, and how caregivers can provide assistance. Reviews studies on stress-relieving intervention techniques. (NH)

The review examines the literature on the behaviorally teratogenic aspects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, including: (1) prevalence of alcohol abuse among women, (2) acute and chronic effects of alcohol on the fetus, (3) genetic susceptibility, (4) neuropathology, (5) correlative conditions, and (6) animal studies. (Author/DB)

Administered questionnaires to 63 pregnant nullipara to determine factors that may influence their decision to stop smoking following childbirth. Results revealed three factors which contributed equally to explaining variance: perceived self-efficacy, smoking habits during pregnancy, and attitude. Also found significant differences between…

Financially impoverished inner city women (n=192) were assessed for clinical depression twice during pregnancy and once postpartum. The rates of depression are about double those found for middle-class samples, and there were no racial differences. Heightened risk for antepartum depression was found among single women with no cohabitating partner.…

A 15-session sex education program was delivered by teachers to 586 10th graders using techniques based on social learning theory. Knowledge about sex and contraception were increased, and communication with parents about pregnancy prevention were significantly greater at posttest. No differences in the frequency of sexual intercourse, pregnancy…

Reviews trends and research findings related to marriage and divorce, unwed parenthood, labor force participation of women, and life expectancy to assess their implications for family policy. Outlines number of policy and programmatic measures as ways of helping to bring about more equitable distribution of well-being among diverse groups of…

Surveyed 439 women (ages 12-21) seeking abortions concerning support networks they used during their pregnancy. Fifty-one percent reported having confided in their parents. Results revealed that degree of financial and emotional dependence and quality and nature of family communication were closely related to decisions to confide in parents about…

Identifies need for more research, education, and services for males about adolescent pregnancy and parenthood to augment their social and familial learning experiences. Makes case for more participation by schools in achieving better balance between males and females in preparing for parenthood or prevention of pregnancy. Describes…

Presents four conceptual models of familial adaptation to adolescent pregnancy discerned from interviews with African-American adolescent mothers (n=119) and their mothers (n=103): Parental Replacement; Parental Supplement; Supported Primary Parent; and Parental Apprentice. Claims framework provides method for better understanding of triadic…

Examined factors that might influence optimal early parenting by Caucasian single mothers (n=53). Results indicated optimal parenting was linked with older maternal age, fewer maternal psychological symptoms, and less difficult infant temperament. Recommends particular needs of single mother should be considered when formulating public policy.…

Provides an overview of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and outlines a program of primary prevention for FAS. The implications for health educators in a variety of settings are also discussed. (GLR)

Sixteen white intact families with unwed teenage daughters completed two measures of family adaptability and alliance at six and eight months during the pregnancy and one month after the baby's birth. Most families became more cohesive and had improved family functioning after the pregnancy. (SLD)