A social systems perspective of adolescent pregnancy: Determinants of parent and parent-child behavior

Social systems theory was used as a framework for examining the relationships among demographic characteristics (age, education level, marital status, social class, income), intrapersonal beliefs (self-esteem, locus-of-control, and parent attitudes), social support, and pregnancy, birth-related, and postpartum outcomes. The subjects were 21 teenage mothers who participated in a model-demonstration program designed to provide and mediate support that would decrease stress and foster positive functioning during and after their pregnancies. The findings showed that social support, social class, and locus-of-control were related significantly to the subjects' personal well-being and family climate during the course of their pregnancies. Education level, social class, and social support significantly predicted both birth-related and postpartum outcomes. Participation in the demonstration project had positive influences on self-esteem, locus-of-control, and caregiver styles of interaction. The results are discussed in terms of the need for a broader-based, social systems perspective of the factors that influence positive outcomes among pregnant teenagers.