Abstract
Adolescent pregnancy appears today as an intricate tapestry where different dimensions interact. In our study we examined
the associations between individual, sociodemographic, familial, and relational variables and their impact on the occurrence
of pregnancy and adolescents’ adjustment to it. Participants were Portuguese pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents (N = 833). Ecological contexts were characterized, and individual and relational adjustment (depressive symptoms and quality
of life; perceived quality of relationship with significant others—parents, romantic partner and friends) were evaluated.
Differences between the ecologies of adolescents in both groups were identified. Familial and relational variables were significantly
associated with both the risk of pregnancy and more difficulties in adjustment. Implications for preventive intervention are
discussed.
the associations between individual, sociodemographic, familial, and relational variables and their impact on the occurrence
of pregnancy and adolescents’ adjustment to it. Participants were Portuguese pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents (N = 833). Ecological contexts were characterized, and individual and relational adjustment (depressive symptoms and quality
of life; perceived quality of relationship with significant others—parents, romantic partner and friends) were evaluated.
Differences between the ecologies of adolescents in both groups were identified. Familial and relational variables were significantly
associated with both the risk of pregnancy and more difficulties in adjustment. Implications for preventive intervention are
discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-21
- DOI 10.1007/s10591-011-9148-4
- Authors
- Anabela Araújo Pedrosa, Psychological Intervention Unit of Maternity Doutor Daniel de Matos, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Rua Miguel Torga, 3030-165 Coimbra, Portugal
- Raquel Pires, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Paula Carvalho, Department of Psychology, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
- Maria Cristina Canavarro, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Frank Dattilio, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Journal Contemporary Family Therapy
- Online ISSN 1573-3335
- Print ISSN 0892-2764