Teenage pregnancy among Latinas: examining risk and protective factors

This study investigated the role of three groups of risk and protective factors (e.g., individual, family, and extrafamilial) that are associated with teen pregnancy. Two groups of Latina adolescents (aged 15 to 19), nonpregnant/nonparenting (NP; N = 48) and pregnant/parenting (P; N = 46), completed a demographic survey, an adolescent profile questionnaire, self-esteem, and locus of control scales. Findings revealed a group of protective factors related to each category: Significant group differences favoring the NP teens were obtained for the individual factors of higher grades and career aspirations, and family factors were related to living with biological parents and greater parental monitoring. Extrafamilial factors included variables related to greater participation in extracurricular activities and religious services, and having friends who model conventional behavior. Keywords: Latina adolescents; teen pregnancy; adolescent childbearing; risk and resiliency