Phototherapeutic intervention to improve self-concept and prevent repeat pregnancies among adolescents

The literature was reviewed on subsequent adolescent pregnancy, self-concept, and phototherapy. It appears that there has been a lack of empirical investigation into (a) the social-psychological factors related to repeat pregnancies; (b) the relationship between self-concept, locus of control, and repeat pregnancies; and (c) strategies to be used to intervene to prevent repeat pregnancies among adolescents. If poor self-concept has been linked to adolescent pregnancy, and phototherapy has been shown to improve self-concept, phototherapy may prove effective in improving the self-concept of the pregnant adolescent, thereby reducing subsequent pregnancy. A specific phototherapeutic intervention, consisting of eight distinct steps, is suggested as a possible component of a comprehensive program of information and counseling for adolescents during pregnancy.