Pregnancy feelings among adolescents awaiting pregnancy test results

Objective. The authors surveyed adolescent girls about their feelings regar ding pregnancy. Methods. A survey was administered to 117 13- to 18-year-olds who obtained pregnancy tests at nine clinics in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1998. The survey included four measures of pregnancy feelings. The authors used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to examine the associations of these measures with engagement with school, future expecta tions, social and environmental characteristics, and perceived partner desi re for pregnancy. Results. The four measures of pregnancy feelings were highly correlated (P = 0.0001). Participants reported a range of positive, negative, and ambival ent feelings on all measures. Perceived partner desire for pregnancy, limit ed future expectations, and lack of school engagement were significantly as sociated with positive pregnancy feelings for the four measures, Conclusions. Successful adolescent pregnancy prevention interventions may i nclude the involvement of partners and key adults as well as strategies to enhance the educational or employment aspirations of girls and adolescents.