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Throughout the semester we have been discussing the issues that surround teenage pregnancy: economic status, environment, education, etc. I found this article very interesting because it discusses how teens mental state also have an impact on the chances of them becoming teen parents. In the study that was conducted researchers found that teen parenthood did not increase the chances of depression in teen mothers, nor did it exacerbate the depression of the mother if she was already suffering. The study actually showed that teens that were more likely to become teen mothers often already experienced depression prior to becoming pregnant. So, depression is also a factor in teen pregnancy as the other factors that we have discussed in class.
I like that this study also addressed teen fathers. Even though there isn't as much information concerning the fathers, the researchers found that the fathers also experienced high levels of anxiety. They also found that fathers that were exposed to abuse as children were more likely to suffer from depression.
I think that the issue of teenage depression should be discussed more. Addressing the depression in teens could possibly be another preventative measure in teen pregnancy.
- -Jalissa
This article is very interesting. I have never really thought about all the emotions that can lead to teen pregnancy. I also think that depression should be discussed more in school. If teens were more aware of depression and what can happen by having it, I think it would help with preventing teen pregnancy. By understanding depression fully, I think that teens that do have it would be more likely to seek help. The more something is talking about, the more normal it seems. In other words, I think that if depression were talked about more, students would feel comfortable to talk about their problems with others. I truly think that helping stop depression would decrease teen pregnancy rates.
ReplyDelete-Mary Kate
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mary Kate, I've never read somewhere where there is research on the mothers and fathers before they got pregnant. From the past few articles I've seen from our group it seems there a lot more psychological factors to pregnancy than just not using protection. Depression is huge in teenage years and shouldn't just be brushed aside as feeling "sad". If the schools focused more on mental health issues, I feel there would definitely be a decrease in teenage pregnancy. There are many more emotional factors that are in play here.
ReplyDelete~Sarah J.
I also found this article very interesting. Being a psychology major I never really thought of underlying emotional or mental status as being a factor in becoming a teen parent. We have always learned that it was more about risky behaviors that determined your likelihood of becoming teen parents.
ReplyDelete-Nicole A.