An exploration of future orientation in adolescents' decisions to continue or terminate a pregnancy

• Main Author: Bell, Emily Rachel
• Other Authors: Glover, Lesley
• Published: University of Hull 2008
• Subjects: 306.8743; Clinical Psychology
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.494858

This study explores aspects of the future in adolescents' choices to continue or terminate pregnancy. Future orientation (FO) (e.g. Seginer, 2005) and reasons for pregnancy resolution were investigated using a researcher constructed and administered questionnaire. Three groups were included: termination of pregnancy (ToP) (n = 19), ante natal (AN) (n = 9), and never pregnant (NP) (n = 23). Participants were 13-18 years-old. Statistical and content analyses reveal groups differ in aspects of FO and reasons for pregnancy resolution choice. Future factors are shown to be important in teenagers' pregnancy resolution decisions. The impact of negative discourses about teenage pregnancy and parenting is discussed. Suggestions are made for conducting research that can advance understanding of this complex issue.