Search

This study replicates from a cross-sectional study about how young Latina teen viewers identify with and socially compare to teen mothers on MTV's Teen Mom over time. Identification and social comparison effects on attitudes toward teen pregnancy were assessed among the same group of Latina teen viewers at two different time points approximately one year apart. Results determined that upward social comparison and identification were associated with positive attitudes toward teen pregnancy in eighth grade, whereas downward social comparison was associated with negative attitudes toward teen pregnancy in ninth grade. Implications for teen mom reality programming audiences are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigated the role of multiple psychological factors in predicting women's subjective birthing experiences. An online prospective survey methodology was conducted with women in the US who had never before given birth. Participants (N = 101) completed surveys regarding their personality traits, childbirth fear, and childbirth self-efficacy in their third trimester of pregnancy (range 28–40 weeks gestation). After giving birth (range 5–50 days post birth), participants (N = 58) completed a measure of subjective childbirth experience. Significant correlations were found between personality traits, childbirth fear, childbirth self-efficacy, and subjective childbirth experience. Neuroticism, fear, and self-efficacy were all correlated with childbirth experiences. However, regression analysis indicated that only childbirth fear significantly predicted subjective childbirth experiences. While previous research has looked at the relationships between personality and expectations or personality and experiences separately, the current findings underscore the importance of including all variables in order to get the most effective picture of the relationships among these variables. The results from the current study can inform methods of identifying women at-risk for negative birth expectations and inform interventions aimed at reducing negative childbirth experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual minority women (SMW) face both increased risk for unintended pregnancy and barriers to achieving wanted pregnancy, but little research investigates SMW's pregnancy desires. To fill this gap, we conducted five focus groups and 11 in-depth interviews with 20-30-year-old SMW in three US cities. Findings highlight that the heteronormative pregnancy planning paradigm lacks salience for SMW. While some SMW clearly wish to avoid pregnancy, many others are unsure, and factors influencing this uncertainty include relationship context, anticipating logistical barriers, and discord between queer identity and pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]