This dissertation examines the construct of hope and its ability to be taught to pregnant and parenting adolescents as a strategy to improve academic achievement and dissuade repeat adolescent pregnancy. A systemic review of the literature examined fourteen (n=14) empirical studies to ascertain if a relationship existed between achievement and the construct of hope. With 92% of the studies reporting a positive correlation between hope and achievement, one can answer yes to the question of an existing relationship between hope and achievement. A manuscript is presented to summarize the development and implementation of a curriculum, designed to develop requisite skills among adolescent mothers to elevate their levels of hope. The Helping Optimize Planning Efforts (HOPE) curriculum presents specific methods for adolescent mothers to enhance skills related to goal setting, goal attainment and the use of positive self-talk as a mechanism for developing hope or increasing existing levels of hope. The study attempted to assess the ability of the HOPE curriculum to enhance the adolescent mother?s level of hope with the underlying assumption that increasing levels of hope might decrease the probability of a repeat adolescent pregnancy. Findings suggested there was a significant difference in the scores for the Dispositional Trait Hope Scale (DTHS) pre-test (M = 68.5, SD = 7.0) and the DTHS post-test scores (M = 73.2, SD = 5.61) (t(11) = 3.18, p = .009) indicating an increase in global hope. A significant difference was also found in between the State Hope Scale (SHS) pre-test scores (M = 39.0, SD = 4.84) and SHS post-test scores (M = 41.5, SD = 5.21) (t(11) = 4.19, p = .002) indicating an increase in the students point in time level of hope. The evaluation of the curriculum indicated that adolescent mothers can be taught to increase their levels of hope using the HOPE curriculum. Data collected during the evaluation of the HOPE curriculum was further analyzed to identify the constructs that contribute to the building of hope in adolescent mothers. The data suggests that two distinct components, agency and pathway, contribute to increase the level of hope. Examination of the subscales within the DTHS, showed there was a significant difference between the pre-test agency (M = 25.42, SD = 5.81) and the post-test agency scores (M = 27.85, SD = 3.65) (t(11) = 2.83, p = .017). Also, among the DTHS pathway subscale, a significant difference was found between the scores on the pre-test (M = 25.08, SD = 3.58) and the post-test score (M = 26.67, SD = 2.35) (t(11) = 2.22, p = .048). These findings suggest that the increased level of hope on the DTHS for was a reflection of the improvements in components, agency and pathway. These findings suggests that adolescent mothers can be taught to be more hopeful when the components of agency and pathway are developed.

Magister Artium - MA / Globally, teenage pregnancy remains a disturbing phenomenon which impacts on the lives of teenagers, their families and society as a whole. Numerous attempts at addressing the problem have seen a decline in fertility rates but agreement still exists that the incidence of young girls bearing children is unacceptably high. Studies conducted over the years have emphasised both the causes and consequences of teenage births. Many studies too have explored the benefits of preventative strategies. Yet, despite all this, teenage pregnancy remains a cause for concern with many teenage girls remaining sexually active after a first pregnancy, and exposing themselves to subsequent pregnancies and births. This study was focused on teenage girls who had experienced unintended repeat pregnancies. Through the research a deeper understanding of the meanings that female teenagers ascribe to repeat pregnancies, were sought. A sample group of teenage mothers were allowed to take a step back from their experience of the repeat pregnancy; to think deeply about the experience, and to reflect on what they had learnt and how it has impacted on their current lives. The researcher employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive, explorative design in order to obtain a rich description of the experiences of teenage mothers who have been through a repeat pregnancy. The goal of the study was to explore and describe the reflections of these teenage mothers who had experienced unintended, repeat pregnancies. Data was obtained through semi-structured individual interviews where an interview guide was used. The data was analysed according to the steps outlined by Creswell (2009). Findings were noted and recommendations made. These recommendations are designed for role-players involved with teenagers and youth in general. Emphasis was placed on recommendations to professionals, like educators, healthcare workers and social workers who are at the coalface of dealing with teenagers who engage in sexual activity. Finally, recommendations for further research were made.

“Rapid repeat pregnancy”, which is common among young mothers, is the onset of pregnancy within 24 months of a previous pregnancy outcome. Teenage motherhood is associated with many economic, social, and health challenges. These challenges often become more serious and more difficult to manage after a subsequent delivery. The circumstances surrounding rapid repeat pregnancy among young mothers living in Ottawa remain unclear. This study explores the experiences, knowledge, and attitudes of young mothers towards rapid repeat pregnancy and contraception through a multi-method study. The multimethod study includes in-depth interviews with young mothers living in Ottawa who have experienced rapid repeat pregnancy and in-depth interviews with services providers who work with them. Results from the interviews indicate that young mothers often do not use post-partum contraception, actively and passively plan their pregnancies, experience violence, and have mental health and substance abuse issues. Many young mothers expressed that trying to access services, especially mental health support services, can be a long and difficult process. Key informants expressed the need for more sexpositive, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health education. There is a need to identify and further develop youth-friendly services that young mothers feel comfortable accessing. Supporting efforts to increase adolescent mothers’ and service providers’ awareness of existing services appears warranted.

Background: Rapid repeat pregnancy (RRP), a pregnancy occurring less than 24 months from a prior birth, and unintended pregnancy-related induced abortions can be prevented with family planning. However, few studies have adequately addressed the role of male partners in reproductive decision-making. Objectives: The goal of this research is to understand the interrelationships between couple pregnancy intention, intimate partner violence (IPV), reproductive health and behaviors. Specifically, this project aims to: (1) examine the extent to which couple pregnancy intentions are associated with RRP and (2) induced abortions among women in the U.S., and (3) examine the extent to which IPV around the time of pregnancy is associated with postpartum birth control use by race/ethnicity and receipt of prenatal contraceptive counseling among U.S. women with live births. Methods: This project uses data from the 2006-2010 National Survey on Family Growth (NSFG), and the 2004-2008 national Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). RRP and induced abortion of first pregnancy were self-reported in the NSFG. Couple pregnancy intentions were categorized as: both intended (M+P+), both unintended (M-P-), maternal intended and paternal unintended (M+P-), maternal unintended and paternal intended (M-P+). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationships between couple pregnancy intentions and RRP and induced abortion. Data on IPV and postpartum contraceptive use came from PRAMS. Stratified analyses were conducted to assess differences in the association by race/ethnicity and receipt of prenatal contraceptive counseling. Results: Compared to couples where pregnancy was intended by both, those with discordant pregnancy intentions and both unintended pregnancy had greater odds of induced abortion. The odds of RRP was higher for M-P+ couples and lower for M+P- couples. Abused women were significantly less likely to report postpartum contraceptive use. This was particularly true for Hispanic women who reported no prenatal birth control counseling and all other racial/ethnic groups who received birth control counseling. Conclusion: Health providers may need to consider the interpersonal dynamics of couple-based decision-making and behaviors to prevent RRP and induced abortions due to unintended pregnancy. Providers should discuss contraceptive options that are not partner-dependent within the context of abusive relationships.

Rapid repeat pregnancy (RRP) is associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes and a range of undesirable social and economic challenges for the mother, her baby, and society. Although the consequences of RRP are well known, Zimbabwe—a country with some of the poorest maternal health indicators—has not investigated or made efforts to directly address this problem. This is confirmed by the lack of targeted programs to curb RRP, the unavailability of documented evidence regarding RRP significant risk factors, and the lack of understanding of the extent of RRP in the country. Using social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework, an unmatched case-control study was conducted using data from the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey of 2015 to determine the prevalence of RRP and to assess associations between sociodemographic, sexual-relational, women's health, fertility preference, previous birth outcomes, and social factors and having an RRP in Zimbabwe. Logistic regression analysis showed statistically significant associations between all factors except for women's health characteristics. The prevalence of RRP among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Zimbabwe was 50.2%. The high prevalence of RRP and the multiple statistically significant associations reported in this study affirm the need for Zimbabwe to make prevention of RRP a public health priority. Zimbabwe must develop targeted interventions that work in context and integrate these into an ongoing comprehensive family planning program. In-depth research is needed to establish and understand the underlying motivations for having an RRP among Zimbabwean women. Such information may help develop targeted interventions to create social change.