An Examination of Repeat Pregnancies Using Problem Behavior Theory: Is it Really Problematic?

The state of research concerning unwed adolescent repeat pregnancies is mostly atheoretical. The present study attempts to rectify this problem using Problem Behavior Theory to examine repeat pregnancies of unwed adolescent mothers. By doing so, risk for a repeat unwed pregnancy is considered not only in terms of behavior, but also in terms of personality attributes and environmental supports. Using logistic regression, three indicators were consistently found to have statistical significance: age of the mother at her first child's birth, educational aspirations, and living with one's own mother. The implications of this research are three-fold: (1) theoretical re-examination, (2) considerations for future research, and (3) policy development.