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Ecological Contexts in Adolescent Pregnancy: The Role of Individual, Sociodemographic, Familial and Relational Variables in Understanding Risk of Occurrence and Adjustment Patterns

Contemporary Family Therapy volume 33, pages 107–127 (2011)Cite this article

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.

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Notes

  1. Age limit established according to the World Health Organization (1975) definition of adolescence.

  2. In Portugal, health services such as obstetric appointments, ultrasounds, clinical tests, etc., are universally free to all pregnant women.

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Acknowledgments

This study is part of the “Adolescent Pregnancy and Motherhood” research project, integrated in the Relationships, Development and Health research group of the R&D Unit Institute of Cognitive Psychology, Vocational and Social Development of the University of Coimbra (FEDER/POCTI– SFA–160–192). The first three authors are supported by PhD Scholarships from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (SFRH/BD/3168/2000, SFRH/BD/63949/2009, and SFRH/BD/37685/2007, respectively).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychological Intervention Unit of Maternity Doutor Daniel de Matos, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Rua Miguel Torga, 3030-165, Coimbra, Portugal

    Anabela Araújo Pedrosa

  2. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Raquel Pires & Maria Cristina Canavarro

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

    Paula Carvalho

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Frank Dattilio

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  1. Anabela Araújo Pedrosa
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  2. Raquel Pires
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  3. Paula Carvalho
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  4. Maria Cristina Canavarro
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Correspondence to Anabela Araújo Pedrosa.

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Araújo Pedrosa, A., Pires, R., Carvalho, P. et al. Ecological Contexts in Adolescent Pregnancy: The Role of Individual, Sociodemographic, Familial and Relational Variables in Understanding Risk of Occurrence and Adjustment Patterns. Contemp Fam Ther 33, 107–127 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-011-9148-4

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Keywords

  • Adolescent pregnancy
  • Ecological systems
  • Risk factors
  • Adjustment
  • Family context