A multisystemic approach to adolescent pregnancy

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancy has reached epidemic proportions in our society. Approximately one million pregnancies are expected among 15–19-year-olds each year. One of the most serious deficiencies in the research on adolescent pregnancy is the lack of a coherent, comprehensive theoretical base. The result has been a wide assortment of findings based on little empirical data. Most behavior change attempts have focused on developmental psychodynamics of individuals, concentrating on characteristics that place them at risk of pregnancy. The role of other systems (i.e., family, peer, community) is rarely addressed. This paper discusses the notion that behavior change in the adolescent cannot be explained by intrapersonal approaches alone, but that an examination of the interpersonal and social processes is also needed. A multisystemic theoretical approach to adolescent pregnancy, showing the role of the family therapist, is then presented. This approach incorporates school, peer, family, and community systems.