Qualitative research on adolescent pregnancy: A descriptive review and analysis

This study examined qualitative research on adolescent pregnancy to determine designs and methods used and to discover emergent themes across studies. Most of the 22 studies reviewed were described as qualitative or phenomenological by design and included samples comprising either African-American and Caucasian participants or African-Americans exclusively. Based on analysis of the collective primary findings of the sample articles, four themes were identified: (a) factors influencing pregnancy; (a) pregnancy resolution; (c) meaning of pregnancy and life transitions; and (d) parenting and motherhood. Overall, the studies revealed that most adolescent females perceive pregnancy as a rite of passage and a challenging yet positive life event. More qualitative studies are needed involving participants from various ethnic backgrounds, on males ’ perceptions relative to adolescent pregnancy and fatherhood, and about decision-making relevant to pregnancy resolution, intimacy, and peer relationships. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY, which impactsadolescents, their families, and society, pre-sents a number of challenges and merits the con-cern of healthcare providers today. In 1994, na-tional statistics revealed that approximately one million adolescent girls became pregnant every year (Alan Guttmacher Institute [AGI], 1994); however, recently teen pregnancies have declined to about 800,000-900,000 annually (Centers fo