title: Life events of pregnant and nonpregnant adolescents.
abstract: This descriptive study compared the life events of pregnant and nonpregnant adolescents. A 51-item life event checklist was used to identify occurrence and perception (good or bad) of life events. Pregnancy of sister or close friend, an increased number of arguments between parents, a change in parents' financial status, and trouble with brother or sister were reported by 50% or more of the total sample. Further, the pregnant group reported changing to a new school more frequently than did the nonpregnant group. The occurrence of loss within the pregnant adolescent's life supports past research findings and provides direction for health care professionals who seek to identify adolescents at risk for pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Intercollegiate Center for Nursing Education, Spokane, Washington 99204.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Records
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors