Discussions of teen sex usually focus on the dangers of pregnancy and disease but ignore the emotional hazards and destructive psychological consequences of temporary sexual relationships. Teenagers absorbed in a sexual relationship may turn inward at a time then they should be reaching out to others. (SLD)

Describes investigation examining factors that distinguish between sexually active adolescents who are at risk for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and those who are at lower risk for these outcomes. Suggests factors associated with sexual risk taking include low GPA, frequent alcohol consumption, and low levels of parental…

Examines the claimed advantages and potential disadvantages of managed care plans for children and pregnant women. Although available research does not support most claims that such plans reduce costs and improve care, managed care plans are growing and changing rapidly. Therefore, past experience with managed care may not be a good guide to…

A study of 143 "low-risk" pregnant women in Australia examined the contribution of a woman's background and attitudes to her relationship with her baby during the baby's first year. Women who perceived their social network as less supportive during pregnancy were likely to see their one-year-old babies as more difficult. (Author/DB)

Increased pregnancies among Native American adolescents emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive approach to sex education. Incorporation of cultural awareness in sex education could improve self-concept among Native adolescents and help them reconcile the cognitive, socialization, and situational dimensions of sexual decision making. Contains…

Discusses medical and pedagogical issues of concern to physical educators as they confront and respond to adolescent pregnancy in their schools, making recommendations for the role higher education can play in facilitating exercise programs for pregnant students and discussing an exercise program for pregnant adolescents that has served students…

Reports the results of an event history analysis of rapidly repeated pregnancies among a sample of 170 adolescents. Results show that the best fitting model for these girls included two proximate determinants of pregnancy, contraceptive use, and other factors. Findings indicate that such pregnancies among teenagers are somewhat predictable. (RJM)

Surveys of rural junior high school students examined their perceptions of teen parenthood, their current sexual behavior, and risk factors for engaging in sexual intercourse. Results indicated that one in nine adolescents had engaged in sexual intercourse. Smoking and efficacy expectations of not engaging in sexual intercourse were significant…

Women (N=46) with ultrasound-diagnosed lethal fetal anomaly in late pregnancy were studied. Psychological instability, general psychological distress, depression, and despair were measured over four years and related to normal versus "neurotic" personality dispositions. Findings are presented; the need for medical intervention, emotional support,…

This literature review identifies characteristics and elements of promising school-based adolescent pregnancy prevention programs, focusing on abstinence-based programs, abstinence- and contraceptive-based programs, life option enhancement programs, and role-playing programs. Results suggest that programs with a more comprehensive approach have…

Critiques pregnancy policies in sub-Saharan Africa's education systems, examining expulsion, reentry, and continuation policies for students who become pregnant. Argues that both expulsion policies and reentry policies violate students' rights to education, suggesting that continuation policies provide the most opportunity for gender equity. Notes…

Many attempts have been made to address the problem of teenage premarital sexual activity in order to reduce the number of pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The authors review some of those efforts and attempt to identify effective approaches. Implications for research are also presented. (Author)

Examined the effectiveness of Baby Think It Over (BTIO), an infant simulation program that seeks to modify attitudes toward teen pregnancy and teen parenting. After experiencing BTIO, teens in the intervention group were more likely to accurately access their personal risk for an unplanned pregnancy than were teens in the comparison group. (Author)

Second in a two-part series, this article reports the findings of a long-term study of teen parents after graduation from high school. The study examined marital status, financial status, educational aspirations, and parenting attitudes. Concludes that the factor most important to outcomes is to support and strengthen the families of parenting…

"Connections: Relationships and Marriage" is a high school marriage education curriculum designed to teach students how to develop healthy relationships and marriages. This study evaluated the effectiveness of this curriculum with 410 high school students who were in "Connections" or a control group. Although the effects were relatively small,…