Doctoral Dissertations
Date of Award
12-1990
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Major
Human Ecology
Major Professor
Greer Fox
Committee Members
Jackie Mclnnis, Priscilla White, Gary Ubben
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a large volume of quantitative research investigating teenage pregnancy. There were fewer attempts to conduct a qualitative analysis to explain this phenomenon and very little explanations regarding repeat term pregnancy. The micro level of the family systems theoretical framework was the structure for examining the deficit, decision-making, and subjective utilities models. This research used the case study approach through extensive interviews, to examine repeat term pregnancy. Data were collected from 10 participants during the course of a year. The sample consisted of black adolescents, all under the age of 19, who were either pregnant again or were non-pregnant parents of more than one child. The interview questions were derived from trends reported from prior quantitative research. Therefore, triangulation was used in combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Pattern-matching was the process used in reporting the results. The results indicated that the deficits, believed to be associated with teenage parenting, were more in the minds of researchers than perceived by the young mothers. There seemed to be a distinct difference in how they viewed their situation in comparison to the larger society. Decision-making was not seen as a rational process for any related activity, except to carry the baby to term and keep it. Whether or not to have sex or contracept appeared to be given little thought. Regarding the subjective utilities model, significant others in their lives patterned a life very similar to their own. Therefore, their behavior was reinforced by the influence of those in their environment. The study provided implications for program intervention and public policy adjustments. It also provided some considerations when contemplating qualitative research with participants of similar demographic characteristics as these young women. The results indicated that more research should be devoted to explore pregnancy resolution and contraceptive decision-making. It was recommended that future research apply the symbolic interaction approach to determine the meanings adolescents, especially Black adolescents, ascribe to sexual behavior and early parenting.
Recommended Citation
Prater, Loretta P., "Rationale for repeat term pregnancy among black adolescents. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 1990.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/11482
