Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Teen contraception: A review of perspectives on compliance

  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

National attention has been drawn to the near epidemic rates of teen-age pregnancy in this country, with greater psychological understanding of this problem cited as a research need. This paper reviews available literature on teen contraceptive compliance with particular focus on the development of self-regulation. In this first section, programs designed to enhance teens' choice and use of birth control are reviewed, with specific attention given to emerging issues and methodological concerns. In the second section, studies that examine factors predictive of contraceptive use in teen-age girls are discussed. This literature is grouped according to three conceptual systems: medical perspectives, behavioral theory, and self-regulation and self-control approaches. A summary is presented, specifying ways in which conceptually based research findings can assist in program development to address the problem of teen pregnancy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abernathy, V. (1973). The abortion constellation.Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 29: 346–350.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Adelson, J. (1980).Handbook of Adolescent Psychology Wiley Interscience, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, E. W., Kenna, J. C., and Hamilton, M. W. (1960). A study of extra-marital conception in adolescence.Psychiatr. Neurol. 139: 313–362.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnold, C. B., and Cogswell, B. E. (1971). A condom distribution program for adolescents.Am. J. Public Health 61: 739–750.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin, W. (1981). Adolescent pregnancy and childbearing.Sem. Perinatol. 5: 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change.Psychol. Rev. 84: 191–215.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Becker, M. E. (1974). The health belief model and personal health behavior.Health Educ. Monogr. 2: 409–414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bem, D. J. (1972). Self perception theory. In Berkowitz, L. (ed.),Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, Vol. 6, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyce, J., and Benoit, C. (1975). Adolescent pregnancy.N.Y. State J. Med. 75: 872–874.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brann, E. A., Edwards, L., Callicott, T., Story, E. S., Berg, P. A., Mahoney, J. E., Stine, J. L., and Hixson, A. (1979). Strategies for prevention of pregnancy in adolescents.Adv. Plann. Parenthood 14: 68–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brownell, K. D. (1982). Obesity: Understanding and treating a serious, prevalent, and refractory disorder.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 50: 820–840.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, D. (1983). Sex without contraception. In Byrne, D., and Fisher, W. A. (eds.),Adolescents, Sex, and Contraception Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, D., and Byrne, L. A. (1977).Exploring Human Sexuality Harper and Row, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, D., and Fisher, W. A. (1983).Adolescents, Sex, and Contraception Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, D., Jazwinski, C., DeNinno, J. A., and Fisher, W. A. (1977). Negative sexual attitudes and contraception. In Byrne, D. and Byrne, L. A. (eds.),Exploring Human Sexuality Harper and Row, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, D., and Kelley, K. (1981).An Introduction to Personality Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carver, C. S., and Scheier, M. F. (1982). Control theory: A useful conceptual framework for personality, social, clinical, and health psychology.Psychol. Bull. 92: 111–135.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chilman, C. S. (1978). Adolescent sexuality in a changing American society: Social and psychological perspectives (DHEW publication No. NIH 79-1426). U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chilman, C. S. (1979). Teenage pregnancy: A research review.Soc. Work 24: 492–498.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cobliner, W. G. (1974). Pregnancy in the single adolescent girl: The role of cognitive functions.J. Youth Adole. 3: 17–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cobliner, W. G., Schulman, H., and Smith, V. (1975). Patterns of contraceptive failures: The role of motivation reexamined.J. Biosoc. Sci. 7: 307–318.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cone, J. D., and Hawkins, R. (1977).Behavioral Assessment in Clinical Psychology Brunner/Mazel, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, T. D., and Campbell, D. T. (1979).Quasi-experimentation: Design and Analysis Issues for Field Settings Rand McNally, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronbach, L. J. (1970).Essentials of Psychological Testing Harper & Row, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cvetkovich, G., and Grote, B. (1981). Psychological maturity and teenage contraceptive use: An investigation of decision-making and communication skills.Popul. Envir. 4: 211–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeLamater, J. (1983). An intrapersonal and interactional model of contraceptive behavior. In Byrne, D., and Fisher, W. A. (eds.),Adolescents, Sex, and Contraception Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 33–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • DePietro, R., and Allen, R. L. (1984). Adolescents' communication styles and learning about birth control.Adolescence 19: 827–839.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dickens, H. O., Mudd, E. H., Garcia, C.-R., Tomar, K., and Wright, D. (1973). One hundred pregnant adolescents: treatment approaches in a university hospital.Am. J. Public Health 63: 794–800.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dickens, H. O., Mudd, E. H., and Huggins, G. R. (1975). Teenagers, contraception and pregnancy.J. Marr. Fam. Couns. 1: 175–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dryfoos, J. (1985). School-based health clinics: A new approach to preventing adolescent pregnancy?Fam. Plann. Perspect. 17: 70–75.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, L. E., Steinman, M. E., and Hakanson, E. Y. (1977). An experimental comprehensive high school clinic.Am. J. Public Health 67: 765–766.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, L. E., Steinman, M. E., Arnold, K. A., and Hakanson, E. Y. (1980). Adolescent pregnancy prevention services in high school clinics.Fam. Plann. Perspect. 12: 6–14.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, J. T., and Bornstein, M. H. (1973). Modernization, individual modernity, and fertility. In Fawcett, J. T. (ed.),Psychological Perspectives on Population Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fishbein, M., and Ajzen, I. (1975).Belief, Attitude, Intention and Behavior: An Introduction to Theory and Research Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, A. A. (1977). The health belief model and contraceptive behavior: Limits to the application of a conceptual framework.Health Educ. Monogr. 5: 244–250.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, W. A. (1978).Affective, attitudinal, and normative determinants of contraceptive behavior among university men. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Purdue University.

  • Fisher, W. A., Byrne, D., Edmunds, M., Miller, C. T., Kelley, K., and White, L. A. (1979). Psychological and situation-specific correlates of contraceptive behavior among university women.J. Sex Res. 15: 38–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, W. A., Byrne, D., and White, L. A. (1983). Emotional barriers to contraception. In Byrne, D., Fisher, W. A. (eds.),Adolescents, Sex and Contraception Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 207–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, E. W., Rickels, K., Huggins, G. R., and Garcia, C. R. (1984). Urban black adolescents who obtain contraceptive services before or after their first pregnancy.J. Adol. Health Care 5: 183–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, E. W., Rickels, K., Huggins, G. R., Mudd, E. H., Garcia, C. R., and Dickens, H. O. (1980). Adolesent contraceptive use: Comparisons of male and female attitudes and information.J. Public Health 70: 790–797.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, E. W., Rickles, K., Mudd, E. B. H., and Huggins, G. R. (1982). Never-pregnant adolescents and family planning programs: Contraception, continuation, and pregnancy risk.Am. J. Public Health 72: 815–822.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Furstenberg, F. F., Herceg-Barcon, R., Mann, D., and Shea, J. (1982). Parental involvement: Selling family planning clinics short.Fam. Plann. Perspect. 14: 140–144.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Furstenberg, F. F., Herceg-Baron, R., Shea, J., and Webb, D. (1984). Family communication and teenagers contraceptive use.Fam. Plann. Perspect. 16: 163–170.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gagnon, J., and Simon, W. (1973). Youth, sex and the future. In Gottlieb, D. (ed.),Youth in Contemporary Society Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA. pp. 211–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilchrist, L. D., and Schinke, S. P. (1983). Coping with contraception: Cognitive and behavioral methods with adolescents.Cognitive Ther. Res. 7: 379–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilchrist, L. D., Schinke, S. P., and Blythe, B. J. (1979). Primary prevention services for children and youth.Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 1: 379–391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldsmith, S., Gabrielson, M., Gabrielson, I., Matthews, V., and Potts, L. (1972). Teenagers, sex and contraception.Fam. Plann. Perspect. 4: 32–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, P. H., and DeMarco, L. J. (1984). Reproductive health services for men: Is there a need?Fam. Plann. Perspect. 16: 44–46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gorosh, M. (1982). Patterns of contraceptive use among female adolescents.Ad. Health Care 3: 96–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottschalk, L. A., Titchener, J. L., Piker, H. N., and Stewart, S. S. (1964). Psychosocial factors associated with pregnancy in adolescent girls: A preliminary report.J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 138: 524.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harari, H., Harari, T., and Hosey, K. (1979). Contraceptive risk-taking in white and black unwed females.J. Sex Res. 15: 56–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haynes, R. B., Taylor, D. W., and Sackett, D. L. (eds.). (1979).Compliance in Health Health Care. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herold, E. S. (1981a). Contraceptive embarrassment and contraceptive behavior among young single women.J. Youth Adol. 10: 233–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herold, E. S. (1981b). Measurement issues involved in examining contraceptive use among young single women.Popul. Envior. 4: 128–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herold, E. S. (1983). The health belief model: Can it help us to understand contraceptive use among adolescents?J. School Health 53: 19–21.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hobby, G. L., and Deuschle, K. W. (1959). The use of riboflavin as an indicator of isoniazid ingestion in self-medicated patients.Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 80: 415–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • House, E. A., and Goldsmith, S. (1972). Planned parenthood services for the young teenager.Fam. Plann. Perspect. 4: 27–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaccard, J. A. (1974). A theoretical analysis of selected factors important to health education strategies.Health Educ. Monogr. 3: 152–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jay, M. S., DuRant, R. H., Shoffitt, T., Linder, C. W., and Litt, I. F. (1984). Effect of peer counselors on adolescent compliance in use of oral contraceptives.Pediatrics 73: 126–131.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jessor, R., and Jessor, S. L. (1975). Transition from virginity to nonvirginity among youth: A social-psychological study over time.Devel. Psychol. 11: 473–484.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, E. F., Forrest, J. D., Goldman, N., Henshaw, S. K., Lincoln, R., Rosoff, J. I., Westoff, C. F., and Wulf, D. (1985). Teenage pregnancy in developed countries: Determinants and policy implications.Fam. Planning Perspect. 17: 53–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, J. B., and Philliber, S. (1983). Sexually active but not pregnant: A comparison of teens who plan.J. Youth Adol. 12: 235–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen, S. R., King, S. L., and Torrey, B. A. (1980). Dyadic and social network influences on adolescent exposure to pregnancy risk.J. Marr. Fam. 42: 141–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanfer, F. H. (1977). The many faces of self-control, or behavior modification changes its focus. In Stuart, R. B. (ed.),Behavioral Self-Management: Strategies, Techniques and Outcomes Brunner/Mazel, New York, pp. 1–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kantner, J., and Zelnik, M. (1972). Sexual experiences of young unmarried women in the U.S.Fam. Plann. Perspectives 4: 9–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kar, S. B. (1971). Individual aspirations as related to early and late acceptance of contraception.J. Soc. Psychol. 83: 235–245.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Katatsky, M. E. (1977). The health belief model as a conceptual framework for exploring contraceptive compliance.Health Educ. Monogr. 5: 232–243.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, D. (1984).Sexuality Education: An Evaluation of Programs and Their Effects. An Executive Summary Mathtech, Inc., Arlington, VA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klerman, L. V. (1979). Evaluating service programs for school-age parents. Design problems.Eval. Health Prof. 1: 55–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leventhal, H. (1973). Changing attitudes and habits to reduce risk factors in chronic disease.Am. J. Cardiol. 31: 571–580.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leventhal, H., Zimmerman, R., and Gutman, M. (1984). Compliance: A self-regulation perspective. In Gentry, W. G. (ed.),Handbook of Behavioral Medicine Guilford Press, New York, pp. 369–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindemann, C. (1974).Birth Control and Unmarried Young Women Springer Publishing, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipsitz, J. S. (1980). Adolescent psychosexual development. In Smith, P. B., and Mumford, D. M. (eds.),Adolescent Pregnancy: Perspectives for the Health Professional G. K. Hall, Boston, pp. 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Litt, I. F., Cuskey, W. R., and Rudd, S. (1980). Identifying adolescents at risk for noncompliance with contraceptive therapy.J. Pediat. 96: 742–745.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGuire, W. J. (1985). Attitudes and attitude change. In Lindzey, G., and Aronson, E. (eds.),Handbook of Social Psychology, Vol. 2. Special Fields and Applications Random House, New York, pp. 233–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W. B. (1976). Sexual and contraceptive behavior in young unmarried women.Primary Care 3: 427–453.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, P., and Simon, W. (1974). Adolescent sexual behavior: Context and change.Soc. Prob. 22: 58–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minidick, B., Oskamp, S., and Berger, D. E. (1977). Prediction of success or failure in birth planning: An approach to prevention of individual and family stress.Am. J. Comm. Psychol. 5: 447–459.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, D. M. (1985). Adolescent contraceptive behavior: A review.Psychol. Bull. 98: 538–568.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mudd, E. O., Dickens, H. O., Garcia, C. R., Rickels, K., Freeman, E., Huggins, G. R., and Logan, J. J. (1978). Adolescent health services and contraceptive use.Am. J. Orthopsychiat. 48: 495–504.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Namerow, P. B., and Jones, J. E. (1982). Ethnic variation in adolescent use of a contraceptive service.J. Adol. Health Care 3: 165–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Namerow, P. B., and Philliber, S. G. (1982). The effectiveness of contraceptive programs for teenagers.J. Adol. Health Care 2: 189–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Namerow, P. B., Philliber, S. G., and Hughes, M. (1983). Follow-up of adolescent family planning clinic users.Fam. Plann. Perspect. 15: 172–176.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oskamp, S., and Mindick, B. (1983). Personality and attitudinal barriers to contraception. In Byrne, D., and Fisher, W. A. (eds.),Adolescents, Sex and Contraception Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 65–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perez-Reyes, M., and Falk, R. (1973). Follow-up after therapeutic abortion in early adolescence.Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 28: 120–126.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Przybyla, D. (1979). Survey of midwestern U. S. students' sexual attitudes and contraceptive behavior. Unpublished manuscript, State University of New York at Albany.

  • Ralph, N., and Edgington, A. (1983). An evaluation of an adolescent family planning program.J. Adol. Health Care 4: 158–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, R. W. (1983). Cognitive and physiological processes in fear appeals and attitude change: A revised theory of protection motivation. In Cacioppo, J., and Petty, R. (eds.),Social Psychophysiology Guilford Press, New York, pp. 153–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenstock, I. M. (1974). Historical origins of the health belief model.Health Educ. Monogr. 2: 354–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rovinsky, J. J. (1972). Abortion recidivism: A problem in preventive medicine.Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 39: 649–659.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sackett, D. L., and Haynes, R. B. (eds.). (1976).Compliance with Therapeutic Regimens Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schinke, S. P. (1984). Preventing teenage pregnancy.Prog. Behav. Modific. 16: 31–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schinke, S. P., and Gilchrist, L. D. (1977). Adolescent pregnancy: An interpersonal skill training approach to prevention.Soc. Work Health Care 3: 159–167.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schinke, S. P., Blythe, B. J., Gilchrist, L. D., and Burt, G. A. (1981). Primary prevention of adolescent pregnancy.Soc. Work Groups 4: 121–135.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, G. E. (1979). Disregulation and systems theory: A biobehavioral framework for biofeedback and behavioral medicine. In Birbaumer, N., and Kimmel, H. D. (eds.),Biofeedback and Self-Regulation Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 19–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shah, F., Zelnik, M., and Kantner, J. (1975). Unprotected intercourse among unwed teenagers.Fam. Plann. Perspect. 7: 39–44.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shea, J. A., Herceg-Baron, R., and Furstenberg, F. F., Jr. (1984). Factors associated with adolescent use of family planning clinics.Am. J. Public Health 74: 1227–1230.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smeaton, G., and Byrne, D. (1985). The relative importance of erotophobia-erotophilia, loneliness, and situational variables in predicting male contraceptive use. Paper presented at the midcontinent meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex, Chicago.

  • Smith, P. B. (1984). Reproductive health care for teens. In Sugar, M. (ed.),Adolescent Parenthood Spectrum Publications, New York, pp. 158–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P. B., Neeny, S. W., Weinman, M. L., and Mumford, D. M. (1982a). Factors affecting perception of pregnancy risk in the adolescent.J. Youth Adol. 11: 207–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P. B., Weinman, M. L., and Mumford, D. M. (1982b). Social and affective factors associated with adolescent pregnancy.J. School Health 52: 90–93.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P., Weinman, M., and Nenny, S. W. (1984). Desired pregnancy during adolescence.Psychol. Rep. 54: 227–231.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steinlauf, B. (1979). Problem-solving skills, locus of control, and the contraceptiveness of young women.Child Devel. 50: 268–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stimson, G. V. (1974). Obeying doctor's orders: A view from the other side.Soc. Sci. Med. 8: 97–104.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stunkard, A. J. (1979). Behavioral medicine and beyond: The example of obesity. In Pomerleau, O. F., and Brady, J. P. (eds.),Behavioral Medicine: Theory and Practice Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD, pp. 279–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vadies, E. (1984). Innovative approaches to reaching young people in health and family programs.Hygie 3: 33–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ventura, S. J. (1983). Births of Hispanic parentage, 1980.Monthly Vital Statistics Report, 32(6) (DHHS Publication No. PHS 83-1120). U.S. Public Health Service, Hyattsville, MD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Washington, A. C., Rosser, P. L., and Cox, E. P. (1983). Contraceptive practices of teenage mothers.J. Nat. Med. Assoc. 75: 1059–1063.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westoff, C. F., Calot, G., and Foster, A. D. (1983). Teenage fertility in developed nations.Fam. Plann. Perspect. 15: 105–110.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zabin, L. S., Kantner, J., and Zelnik, M. (1979). The risk of adolescent pregnancy in the first months of intercourse.Fam. Plann. Perspect. 11: 215–222.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zelnik, M., and Kantner, J. (1972). Sexuality, contraception and pregnancy among young unwed females in the U. S. In Westoff, C. F., and Parks, R., Jr. (eds.),Demographic and social aspects of population growth and American future research report U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, pp. 355–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zelnik, M., and Kantner, J. F. (1977). Sexual and contraceptive experience of young unmarried women in the United States, 1976 and 1971.Fam. Plann. Perspect. 9: 55–71.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Houston, University Park, 77004, Houston, Texas, USA

    J. Gayle Beck Ph.D. & Dana K. Davies

Authors
  1. J. Gayle Beck Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dana K. Davies
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This work was supported in part by a National Institute of Health Biomedical Research Grant S07RR07147-13 from the University of Houston to the first author.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Beck, J.G., Davies, D.K. Teen contraception: A review of perspectives on compliance. Arch Sex Behav 16, 337–368 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542143

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542143

Key words

Search

Navigation