Understanding the Psychological Impacts of Teenage Pregnancy through a Socio-ecological Framework and Life Course Approach

Abstract

The relationship between mental health and teenage pregnancy is complex. Mental health can be both an antecedent and contributing factor to teenage pregnancy and a concurrent factor wherein pregnancy itself can contribute to depression. Expectant and parenting teens (EPT) are faced with the simultaneous challenges of pregnancy and parenting while navigating the developmental tasks of adolescence which increases their risk for mental health problems. In addition, adolescents growing up in stressful community or home situations where their parents experienced depression, further places them and their children at greater risk of repeated patterns over time. However, adverse mental health outcomes are not inevitable. The socio-ecological model combined with a life course perspective provides a framework for understanding the complexity of risk and protective factors at multiple levels that influence knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and other health outcomes later in life and across generations. This approach has important implications for reducing adolescents' risk of an unintended/mistimed pregnancy and improving mental health and other outcomes for EPT. This paper describes the prevalence of mental health problems in EPT and using a socio-ecological framework and life course perspective explains variations in mental health outcome among EPT. Implications for interventions and innovative approaches are also discussed.

The effect of depression and anxiety on nonbarrier contraception in adolescents and young adults: A scoping review.

“…It has been shown that mental health is both a cause and a consequence of unintended adolescent pregnancies. However, it is important to acknowledge that factors contributing to unintended pregnancy are complex and upstream factors such as economic and educational opportunities and outcomes play a significant role (Tebb & Brindis, 2022). Improving AYA's access to the full range of contraceptive options is vital to reduce unintended pregnancy.…”

“…Correctly identifying and treating depression and anxiety in AYAs not only addresses the current mental health crisis but may also lead to increased uptake of nonbarrier contraception use and improved adherence, which in turn could decrease the risk of unintended pregnancy. The consequences of unintended pregnancy have been well-documented and include increased risk of poor health, mental health, and economic and educational outcomes (Tebb & Brindis, 2022). It has been shown that mental health is both a cause and a consequence of unintended adolescent pregnancies.…”

Anais Do 1º Congresso Internacional Multiprofissional Em Atenção Primária À Saúde

“…A busca resultou no retorno de 119 artigos, sendo 55 encontrados na BVS e 64 na PubMed; após a exclusão das duplicatas, restaram 113 artigos para leitura de título e resumo; após avaliação, 16 artigos foram considerados para análise final. Dentre os estudos incluídos, a maioria 62,5% (n=10) relaciona a gravidez na adolescência à associação entre baixa renda/nível de pobreza, menor nível de escolaridade e fragilidades de acesso ao sistema de saúde e contraceptivos (AGUIAR, 2021;AMONGIN, 2020;CHIRWA, 2019;GÓMEZ, 2021;LAVANDEROS, 2019;NASCIMENTO, 2021;ROSANELI, 2020;SALEEBY, 2019;TEBB, 2022;ZULAIKA, 2021).…”

Psychological impact of pregnancy on adolescents and adults

“…A woman faces tremendous challenges when transitioning to motherhood. Especially for adolescents who often don't have the necessary knowledge & skills to deal with motherhood, which adds stress to their already challenged developmental level (Erfina., Widyawati, McKenna, Reisenhofer, & Ismail, 2019), thus increasing their risk for mental health problems (Tebb & Brindis, 2022). Mental illness during this period is not assessed and consequently goes untreated (Apter, Devouche, & Gratier, 2011) and there is an increase in psychiatric morbidity, particularly depression and anxiety (Tebb & Brindis, 2022, Nasreen Kabir, Forsell, & Edhborg, 2011.…”

“…Especially for adolescents who often don't have the necessary knowledge & skills to deal with motherhood, which adds stress to their already challenged developmental level (Erfina., Widyawati, McKenna, Reisenhofer, & Ismail, 2019), thus increasing their risk for mental health problems (Tebb & Brindis, 2022). Mental illness during this period is not assessed and consequently goes untreated (Apter, Devouche, & Gratier, 2011) and there is an increase in psychiatric morbidity, particularly depression and anxiety (Tebb & Brindis, 2022, Nasreen Kabir, Forsell, & Edhborg, 2011. Antepartum psychiatric symptoms can lead to postpartum depression, lower birth weight, spontaneous abortion, premature delivery, a malformed or growth-retarded baby and have a negative impact on child development (Nasreen et al, 2011, Mulder, Robles de Medina, Huizink, Van den Bergh, Buitelaar, & Visser, 2002).…”