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Differences in irrational beliefs of pregnant and never pregnant adolescents

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Abstract

Twenty-five pregnant and/or parenting adolescents were compared with sixteen nonpregnant adolescents on two irrationality measures: The Child and Adolescent Scale of Irrationality and the Adolescent Pregnancy Beliefs Questionnaire. Findings suggest that pregnant adolescents subscribe to a greater number of general irrational beliefs; to a greater number of irrational beliefs specific to sex, dating and birth control; to a greater number of beliefs consistent with promoting pregnancy; and to fewer beliefs that might deter pregnancy when compared to never pregnant adolescents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University, Euclid Avenue at East 24th St., 44115, Cleveland, OH

    Karen Westphal Ph.D. &  Susan Wagner

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  1. Karen Westphal Ph.D.
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  2. Susan Wagner
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Karen Westphal holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of South Carolina. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio.

Susan Wagner worked with Dr. Westphal on this research while she was a graduate student at Cleveland State University. She is presently employed in the Mood Disorders Research Project at University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio.

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Westphal, K., Wagner, S. Differences in irrational beliefs of pregnant and never pregnant adolescents. J Rational-Emot Cognitive-Behav Ther 11, 151–158 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01074092

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01074092

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