PATTERNS OF SERVICE UTILIZATION AMONG PREGNANT AND PARENTING AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS

This study explored factors associated with differential patterns of s ocial and health service use among pregnant and parenting African Amer ican adolescents. One hundred seventy-seven young women between the ag es of 14 and 22 took part in the study. Cluster analysis suggested thr ee groups of users: frequent users, moderate users, and inconsistent u sers. These groups were distinct in terms of their frequency of servic e usage, perceptions of barriers to usage, and psychological and socia l functioning. Moderate users appeared to be healthier than either the frequent or inconsistent users, as indicated by their relatively high er levels of psychological functioning. In contrast, inconsistent user s were distinguished by their high rates of sexual victimization, thei r low use of medical services, and their perceptions of many programma tic and personal barriers to usage. Suggestions for research and inter ventions that encompass the diverse needs of young African American wo men are made.