This study examines unwanted adolescent pregnancy and early childbearing within the context of the family system. Fifty pregnant adolescents and their families were interviewed prenatally and again during the postpartum period. Utilizing the concepts of structural family theory and therapy as described by Minuchin, certain characteristics of family style and structure of organization were rated. These family variables were then related to aspects of the adolescent mother's adaptation postpartum. Boundaries, in terms of degree of intrusiveness and differentiation, were related to such variables as whether the adolescent is maintained in the household and to her continuing relationship with the baby's father. Similarly, the family's style of dealing with conflict was related to the relationship between the adolescent parents, among other outcome variables. Implications of the findings both for working with these families and for further research are discussed, and issues are raised about hypothesized relationships between independent and dependent variables which were not borne out.
PIP: This study examines unwanted adolescent pregnancy and early childbearing within the context of the family system. 50 pregnant US adolescents and their families were interviewed prenatally, and at 11 and 15-28 months postpartum. The majority were black (62.5%), 60% living with their biological mother as the only parent; average age was 15.9 years, and average highest grade completed was 9.7. 72.3% had household incomes US$10,000. Using concepts of structural family theory and therapy as described by Minuchin, certain characteristics of family style and structure of organization were rated. These family variables were then related to aspects of the adolescent mother's adaptation postpartum. Boundaries in terms of degree of instrusiveness and differentation, were related to such variables as whether the adolescent is maintained in the household and to her continuing relationship with the baby's father: adolescents with families classified as "intrusive" were more likely to stay at home, and their relationship with the baby's biological father was likely to deteriorate. Adolescents from intrusive families were most likely to stay in school and maintain the same grades postpartum. Similarly, The family's style of dealing with conflict was related to the relationship between the adolescent parents, among other outcome variables: There was generally a closer relationship with the adolescent father in families displaying no disagreements. It is surprising that not more of the variables were related to adaptation postpartum, but it is possible that an interview at 18 months postpartum would be more informative, diminishing the effects of the upheaval of the postpartum period. It may be also that the interview situation itself was inhibiting. The problem of the relationship of the adolescent father with the child may need to be resolved by addressing the problem of intrusiveness, since apparently some degree of disengagement is desirable. Academic performance appears to be a complex question in need of further study.