The protective value of social capital against teen pregnancy: a state-level analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether social capital may explain differences in teen pregnancy rates in the contiguous United States.


METHODS
State-level correlational analyses were conducted. Predictor variables included social capital, income inequality, and poverty.


METHODS
State-level rates of pregnancy for girls 15-19 years old.


RESULTS
In bivariate analyses, social capital was inversely correlated with teen pregnancy rates. The obtained correlation was strong (r = -.78) and achieved significance (p < .001). Poverty and income inequality were also significantly correlated with teen pregnancy rates, but the magnitude of these correlations was lower. In a linear regression model, poverty failed to retain significance; however, income inequality achieved significance and produced a Beta value of .24 (p = .017). Social capital was nonetheless a much stronger multivariate predictor of teen pregnancy rates (producing a Beta value of -.672).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this state-level analysis suggest that social capital may explain differences between states with respect to teen pregnancy rates. Thus, social capital may play an important role in the prevention of teen pregnancy. This initial finding warrants subsequent empirical investigations designed to identify strategies that can be employed to foster the creation of social capital in communities and entire states.
Crosby
Richard A
RA
College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0003, USA. crosby@uky.edu
Holtgrave
David R
DR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology