Studied parenting status among 99 adolescents (parenting, pregnant, or never pregnant) in relation to perceived levels of family cohesion and adaptability and to levels of ego development. Findings showed no significant differences in ego development and on perceptions of family cohesion but did yield significant differences on perceptions of…

Compared fertility and menstrual characteristics and contraceptive practices of adolescents in maternal and infant care program. Hmong subjects were more likely to have live birth; Asians were usually married while Whites and Blacks were not. Asians were less likely to have used contraceptives and Hmongs were less likely to choose contraception…

Examines risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome based on Swedish births between 1983 and 1985. Results indicate that maternal smoking doubles the risk of infant death, and infants of smokers also died sooner. The more the mother smoked the more likely her infant was to die. (JS)

Describes a Youth Service Project Program for teen mothers in Chicago. The program uses a bicultural approach that provides teens with a supportive social network and the opportunity to acquire parenting and literacy skills. (PCB)

A community-based, case-control study conducted in rural Nigeria with 132 pregnant girls and 131 nonpregnant girls the same age found that pregnancy was largely associated with the completion of formal education at an early age and the lack of knowledge of reproductive health. (SLD)

Evaluates whether family formation has interfered with women's secondary school attainment in the United States during the midtwentieth century. Suggests that women who formed a family while still enrolled in high school had elevated risk of leaving without a diploma. Odds did not vary by cohort nor race at the individual level. (CRR)

Administered questionnaires to 37 pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers to assess needs and factors contributing to pregnancy. Assessed family background and composition, history of sexual abuse, vocational plans and aspirations, and self-esteem. High incidence of family disruption resulting from alcohol and drug abuse and reported child…

Parents completed the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ), and their depression and anxiety were measured, during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The ICQ scores formed two components in the mothers' analysis, and one in the fathers'analysis. Predictors of postpartum ICQ scores were the postpartum ICQ components and the anxiety and…

Analysis of the contraceptive behavior of 123 young adults indicates that (1) interventions to change high-risk behaviors need to address differing perceptions of pregnancy and disease prevention and (2) interventions will be more effective if positive aspects of using contraceptives are made more salient. (SK)

Conducted six-month follow-up study to evaluate effectiveness of Project Taking Charge, abstinence-based program to delay sexual intercourse and prevent teenage pregnancy. Findings from adolescents at two sites revealed that many knowledge gains found at posttest were retained at follow-up. Program participants were less likely than comparison…

Although after-school programs offer many activities--from cooking classes to computer technology, homework assistance, and sports--they also provide an effective environment for health education and wellness instruction, especially pregnancy prevention. Exemplary programs for middle- and high-schoolers in Palm Beach County, Florida, are…

Two matched groups (24 adolescents and 24 adults) of pregnant mothers were followed for 20 months. During pregnancy, memories of child maltreatment were evaluated. Although adolescent and adult mothers showed no differences in memories of childhood physical or emotional abuse, adolescent mothers and physically abused mothers showed higher child…

Analyzed 32 outcome studies on the primary prevention of adolescent pregnancy and examined several moderator variables in relationship to the findings. Results indicate that certain pregnancy prevention programs had no effect on adolescents' sexual activity. Found sufficient evidence to support the efficacy of pregnancy prevention programs for…

Investigates substance use patterns among 192 pregnant substance-using women to assess whether ethnic differences exist regarding drugs of choice, frequency and recency of use, and severity of use. Results reveal that substance use patterns differed across ethic groups. Findings suggest that prevention and intervention efforts have to be tailored…

Surveyed and conducted focus groups with Kenyan adolescents to investigate their health information sources, focusing on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), particularly HIV/AIDS. Respondents relied most heavily on health clinics for information on STDs, their most common health problem. Those with high knowledge of contraceptives were more…