Behavioral Health Articles
Children Having Children: The Effects of Pregnancy on a Teen’s Mental Health
by Heather Roche
The majority of people, no matter their age, have a memory or two from when they were a teen. In most cases one of those memories may have been a difficult situation you were faced with. Maybe your friends were upset with you and you became alienated from “the group” which you belonged to or you made a decision that had serious consequences. Once we grow up and are faced with the responsibilities of adulthood it is easy to forget that teens are faced with difficult decisions daily. Their bodies are changing and their brain is developing, all while they are trying to learn how to be independent.
With that in mind, think of the most stressful thing that happened to you as a teen. Did you find out you were pregnant? If you answered no, I want you to think about it for a minute. Are you a parent now? If so you know how difficult it is as an adult to provide for a child. Could you imagine having a baby as a teen?
Finding out you are pregnant as a teen can be one of the scariest moments in your life. A pregnant teen is likely to be overwhelmed with emotion and have no idea what to do. Getting pregnant as a teen instantly changes all your hopes and dreams. Suddenly the worry of a prom date disappears. Your concern of what colleges to apply to may not even be a possibility, since now you will likely struggle to graduate from high school. Then how do you tell people you are pregnant? All of these concerns are racing through your mind as your body begins to go through the incredible amount of physical and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.
Teens can have many different emotional reactions to a pregnancy. Some become overwhelmed by guilt, anxiety, and fears about the future. Others can experience a feeling of comfort now that they will have someone to give them unconditional love. This overflow of emotion and fear of what others will think can easily lead the young mother to a state of depression. Teenage pregnancy affects more than the pregnant female: the father and both of their families’ mental health is challenged.
It is important to keep in mind the long-term affects of babies born to teenagers. They are at an increased risk for neglect and abuse. According to data from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, girls born to teen mothers are likely to become teen mothers themselves, and boys born to teen mothers are three times more likely to be incarcerated. Children with teen, or adult, parent/parents that are not prepared to care for them can lead to mental illness later on in life for the children.
No parent wants to see their own child deal with an unplanned pregnancy or watch them struggle through these emotions. The good thing is parents can help! Parents have the ability to help prevent teenage pregnancy through open communication. Both parents and teens feel that conversations about sex are difficult to start. Parents are often embarrassed and feel that they don’t have the correct information to even begin a discussion. Parents are also scared and worried. There’s a lot at stake when teens become sexually active. Parents often find themselves feeling conflicted about what to say and when to say it. Research conducted nationally and surveys we have implemented locally show two important findings about teen sexuality. First, teens report that they want their parents to be a source of information about sex. Secondly, teens whose parents have talked with them about the importance of abstinence, delaying intercourse, and using contraception are more likely to do just that – delay intercourse and use contraception when sex occurs.
Sex complicates things for teens, who already have complicated lives. Adolescents who are at risk of becoming pregnant require special understanding. It is important that parents, teachers, clinicians, or anyone who works with teens keep this in mind when approaching the mental health of a pregnant teen.
Heather Roche is the ZAP Program Coordinator at the Jacobus Center for Reproductive Health