Parental consent: factors influencing adolescent disclosure regarding abortion

Four hundred thirty-nine females (ages 12-21) seeking abortions were surveyed concerning support networks they utilized during their pregnancy crisis. Fifty-one percent of this sample reported confiding in their parents, while 49% reported that they did not confide in their parents. The relationship between perceived dependence, as well as family communication, and the teenagers' decision to seek parental advice regarding their pregnancy crisis was examined. The following variables were used to study the characteristics of these two groups: age, marital status, living arrangements, employment status, maturity, general family communication, and family communication regarding sexuality. The results revealed that the degree of financial and emotional dependence and the quality and nature of family communication were closely related to the teenagers' decision to confide in their parents about the decision to seek an abortion. Implications of the findings include the need for more empirical information before making legislative decisions regarding parental consent. Suggestions for further research include an investigation of the effects of parental responses on teenagers who choose abortion and a comparative examination of the characteristics of families of confiders with those of nonconfiders.