The relationship between child abuse and adolescent pregnancy: a retrospective study

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between child abuse and adolescent pregnancy. The dependent variable of this study was adolescent pregnancy and the independent variables were sexual abuse, physical abuse, and the absence of a father. The total sample consisted of 289 respondents. An independent t-test was performed to determine if the respondents that were sexually and physically abused also became pregnant as adolescents. This hypothesis found a significant correlation between the respondents that experienced child abuse and adolescent pregnancy. An independent Chi square was performed to determine if a relationship exist between the absence of a father and adolescent pregnancy. This hypothesis was not supported. Implications for social work practice and future research are also included