Rapid repeat pregnancy in adolescence: The role of mental health factors, contextual factors, and past experiences

Background: Approximately one out of every five young mothers has a second pregnancy within two years following initial pregnancy outcome. Previous research on adolescents at risk for rapid repeat pregnancy has been limited. This study investigates both the predictors and correlates of rapid repeat pregnancy in a sample of urban young mothers.

Methods: Adolescents aged 12 to 19 years (N=354) who were predominantly African-American (94.1%) completed individual interviews during pregnancy and at 24 months postpartum. Interviews addressed socioeconomic conditions, mental health, personality characteristics, self-efficacy, and child-rearing beliefs. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between contextual factors, mental health factors, and past experiences in the prediction of rapid repeat pregnancy.

Results: Forty-two percent (N=147) of adolescents experienced a rapid repeat pregnancy. Reports of later age at menarche (12.43 vs. 11.91; p=.003) and lower scores on three self-reported measures of aggression were significantly associated with rapid repeat pregnancy. Both age at menarche and aggression contributed independently to the prediction of a closely spaced second pregnancy (p<.05).

Conclusions: It is suggested that pubertal onset and individual mental health as it relates to measures of aggression should be considered when developing programs targeting young women at highest risk for repeated childbearing. Prevention of rapid repeat pregnancy may provide a more focused approach to intervention, given the lack of evidence for effective prevention of an initial pregnancy in some groups.