Adolescent sexual activity and pregnancy: socioenvironmental problems, physical health, and mental health

Differences in socioenvironmental, physical, & mental health problems of adolescent Fs as a function of their sexual activity & pregnancy status are investigated using 2 waves of interview data obtained from 1,590 girls aged 13-15 attending health clinics in economically disadvantaged areas of 10 US cities (pregnant girls coming only for well care services are excluded). Chi square analyses indicate substantial differences between the sexually active, sexually inactive, & pregnant Rs. In general, those who are sexually active, particularly if pregnant, have more psychosocially disadvantaged family backgrounds than do their inactive peers. However, pregnancy is not associated with current increases in life stress, interpersonal difficulties, or mental health/behavioral problems. It is concluded that psychosocial background is an important precursor to both later sexual activity & mental health. Thus, education & birth control availability are unlikely to have much of an impact in reducing teenage pregnancy unless supplemented by psychosocial, family-oriented interventions. 4 Tables, 29 References. K. Hyatt