The Role of Mental Health Factors, Behavioral Factors, and Past Experiences in the Prediction of Rapid Repeat Pregnancy in Adolescence

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health Vol. 44; no. 1; pp. 25 - 32
• Main Authors: Crittenden, Colleen P., Dr. P.H, Boris, Neil W., M.D, Rice, Janet C., Ph.D, Taylor, Catherine A., Ph.D, Olds, David L., Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.01.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - ethnology; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Adolescents; Adult; African Americans; Age Factors; Age of onset; Aggression; Biological and medical sciences; Developmental psychology; Family Characteristics; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gynecology and obstetrics; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Logistic Models; Menarche; Mental Health; Pediatrics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Adolescence - ethnology; Pregnancy in Adolescence - psychology; Pregnancy risk; Pregnant women; Prospective Studies; Psychology and medicine; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Rapid repeat pregnancy; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Subsequent childbearing; Young Adult; United States; North America; America; Africa; Pregnancy risk; Adolescents; Subsequent childbearing; Rapid repeat pregnancy; Social environment; Human; Urban environment; Aggression; Attitude; Ethnic group; Pregnancy; Childbearing; Adolescent; Predictive factor; African American
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.06.003

Abstract Purpose This study investigates the predictors of rapid repeat pregnancy (subsequent pregnancy within 24 months of previous pregnancy outcome) in a sample of urban adolescents. Methods Adolescents aged 12–19 years (N = 354) who were predominantly African-American (94.1%) completed individual interviews during pregnancy and at 24 months postpartum. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship among mental health factors, behavioral factors, and negative life experiences in the prediction of rapid repeat pregnancy. Results Of the adolescents, 42% (n = 147) of adolescents reported a rapid repeat pregnancy. Baseline reports of later age at menarche (12.43 vs. 11.91; p = .003) and a greater likelihood of aggression were significantly associated with having a rapid repeat pregnancy within 24 months. Age at menarche and self-reported aggression contributed independently to the prediction of a closely spaced second pregnancy ( p < .05). Conclusions It is suggested that pubertal onset and individual mental health as it relates to measures of aggression should be considered when developing programs targeting adolescents at highest risk for rapid repeat pregnancy.