The significance of pregnancy among adolescents choosing abortion as compared to those continuing pregnancy
Morin-Gonthier, M.; Lortie, G.
Journal of Reproductive Medicine 29(4): 255-259
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-7758 PMID: 6716370 Document Number: 239167
The significance of pregnancy for adolescent women is usually related to unconscious motivations. Some teenagers faced with the problem choose to abort, and others do not. Psychological status, contraceptive and sexual habits, attitudes towards pregnancy and environmental influences were studied in 50 teenagers who chose abortion. These young women were matched for age and parity with a control group of 50 who elected to carry their pregnancies to term. The results point to significant differences between the 2 groups, particularly as to the meaning of pregnancy and the decision-making process. The teenagers who chose abortion seemed more independent and self-assured, made their decisions basically by themselves and had a more realistic view of pregnancy. The teenagers who chose to carry their pregnancies to term appeared more submissive and less capable of integrating various elements of reality into their decision making. Their choices seemed strongly influenced by the partner, family and friends. Because of these outside influences, the patient may perceive her decision to be externally determined, leaving her more susceptible to guilt feelings and allowing her to avoid full consideration of the implications of immediate child-bearing. Interpersonal relationships and the patient's personality were viewed as the major influences on pregnancy resolution. Future studies should shed light on the meaning of adolescent pregnancy as a contemporary sociologic phenomenon and address the following questions: How can adolescents' needs be met in ways other than pregnancy? What are their needs and the fears, anxieties and feelings of loneliness and depression that early sexual activity has not been able to allay?