Initial parenting attitudes of pregnant adolescents and a comparison with the decision about adoption

Abstract

The Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory was used to examine the initial parenting attitudes of a sample of pregnant adolescents. In addition, the attitudes about parenting were correlated with the decision of the adolescent to either keep or place the baby for adoption. Pregnant adolescents scored significantly lower on the "expectations for children" construct than all groups of controls. They scored significantly higher than adolescent controls on the "empathy" construct but lower than the adult controls. On the "corporal punishment" construct, they scored significantly lower than nonabused adolescent controls but were similar to abused adolescent controls. On the "role-reversal" construct, they scored significantly higher than abused adolescent controls, lower than adult controls, and about the same as nonabused adolescent controls. Adolescents who placed their babies had significantly lower scores on the role-reversal measure, but the differences between keepers and placers on the expectations, empathy, and corporal punishment dimensions were not significant. The results are discussed in terms of (1) the areas where attitudes about parenting are below appropriate levels, (2) the possibility of competent teenage mothers, and (3) the groundwork necessary for preparing adolescents for parenthood should they elect to keep their babies.

PIP: The Adult-adolescent Parenting Inventory was used to examine the initial parenting attitudes of a sample of pregnant adolescents. In addition, the attitudes about parenting were correlated with the decision of the adolescent to either keep or place the baby for adoption. The subjects were 28 unmarried female adolescents (ages 14-19, 86% Caucasian) from a rural, agricultural state. 8 subjects (28.6%) were living with 2 parents, and another 6 were living with 1 parent. 7 were in a group home or institution, while the remaining 7 subjects lived in a variety of settings (e.g. other relatives or alone). 75% of the adolescents were supported by parents. Pregnant adolescents scored significantly lower on the "expectations for children" construct than all groups of controls. They scored significantly higher than adolescent controls on the "empathy" construct, they scored significantly lower than nonabused adolescent controls but were similar to abused adolescent controls. On the "role-reversal" construct, they scored significantly higher than abused adolescent controls. Adolescents who placed their babies had significantly lower scores on the role-reversal measure, but the differences between keepers and placers on the expectations, empathy, and corporal punishment dimensions were not significant. The results are discussed in terms of 1) the areas where attitudes about parenting are below appropriate levels, 2) the possibility of competent teenage mothers, and 3) the groundwork necessary for preparing adolescents for parenthood should they elect to keep their babies.