Adolescent mothers and their offspring are a high risk group broth physically and emotionally. Poverty, malnutrition, complications of pregnancy, emotional problems such as depression, drug and alcohol use, are all risks for the mother. Children are also at greater risk for physical, cognitive and emotional problems. It is therefore important to identify factors which influence outcome on adolescent mothers and their children in order to suggest interventions which will more positively affect the physical and psychological health of this increasing population.
PIP: Adolescent mothers and their offspring are a high risk group both physically and emotionally. Poverty, malnutrition, complications of pregnancy, and emotional problems such as depression, drug, and alcohol use, are all risks for the mother. Children are also at greater risk of physical, cognitive, and emotional problems. Therefore, it is important to identify factors which influence the outcome of adolescent mothers and their children in order to suggest interventions which will more positively affect the physical and psychological health of this increasing population. Hechtman draws the following conclusions: 1) There is no single cause for the rising rate of adolescent pregnancy, but rather a combination of factors. These can generally be grouped under biological factors, societal factors, personal attitude/needs, ignorance/misunderstanding concerning sexual matters, and problems inherent in modern contraceptive methods. 2) The consequences of pregnancy on the adolescent are multiple and can be divided into health, economic, and emotional outcomes. 3) The effects on the child who results from the adolescent pregnancy can be subdivided under physical health, cognitive, behavioral and emotional effects. 4) Early sex education programs which combine education with family planning or counselling, and readily available inexpensive contraception and abortion would do much to decrease the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy.