A prospective study of adolescent pregnancy

This study examined prospectively the characteristics contributing to adolescent pregnancy in a pregnant (n=452) and comparison (n=373) group of adolescents. The participants were 15-19-year-old Black and White females in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. The variables included race, self-esteem, age-related risks, delinquency history, aspirations and expectations Using regression analyses, adolescent pregnancy in Blacks was predicted by approval of delaying a family and pursuing a career, aspirations of working, and lower educational expectations. Pregnancy in White adolescents was predicted by higher educational wishes, lower educational expectations, desiring more children, and having sex younger. Implications and recommendations are discussed.