INTRAINDIVIDUAL VARIATION AMONG PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS - A PILOT-STUDY AND CONCEPTUAL DISCUSSION

There is little empirical research or theory on intraindividual variat ion (mood changes) during adolescence, and virtually no research on in traindividual variation during adolescent pregnancy. This pilot study illustrates the need for research on pregnant adolescents' moods and t heir impact on survey reliability and validity. Fourteen adolescents k ept diaries for six consecutive weeks during their pregnancies. The di ary entries were analyzed for affective tone, emotional lability, and contextuality. A conceptual discussion is presented that questions the psychometric properties of data gathered using one time, self-report measures with pregnant adolescents because of their fluctuating mood s tates. Hypotheses are generated for future testing in this area and a call is made for a new area of research on intraindividual tension dur ing adolescent pregnancy.