Predictors of depression symptoms in pregnant adolescents

The purpose of this study involving a cross-cultural group of single, pregnant adolescents was to examine the association of depression with self-esteem, social support, discomforts of pregnancy, and selected sociodemographic variables. The sample comprised 62 pregnant adolescents recruited from a residential maternity home. Subjects ranged in age from 14 to 20 years (mean 16.67 years) and were predominantly Hispanic and black. All subjects completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Coopersmith's Self-Esteem Inventory, a physical discomfort checklist, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. A high level of depression symptoms was reported by the majority of participants. Nearly two thirds of the young women reported adequate levels of emotional support; however, the remaining subjects claimed inadequate levels. Results of the multiple regression analyses revealed that, of the predictor variables investigated, only the total self-esteem score was statistically significant (p = 0.0001) and explained 32.6% of the variance. In further statistical analysis a multifactor analysis of variance found social support to be a significant variable influencing depression. On the basis of these results, several recommendations for assessment and intervention with similar groups of pregnant adolescents are suggested, including screening for depression symptoms and development of treatment programs for affected youth.