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Little is known about what factors adolescent males consider important when making decisions concerning the resolution of an unplanned pregnancy with a teenage partner. Young men's influence on pregnancy outcome decisions can play an important part in the subsequent psychological adjustment of the female. The present report draws on data from a larger study with teenage males [Condon, J. T., Corkindale, C. J., Russell, A., & Quinlivan, J. A. (2006). Processes and factors underlying adolescent males' attitudes and decision-making in relation to an unplanned pregnancy. "Journal of Youth and Adolescence," 35, 447-458], and extends the findings of that study. Using a 25-item scale embedded in an electronic role-play, data were obtained from 330 male Australian school students on their priorities and concerns in relation to possible outcomes of a partner's pregnancy. Common factors taken into account by almost the entire adolescent sample related to the negative effects of becoming a teenage father. The differences between participants were identified using cluster analysis, which produced three groupings. The majority group was characterized as "well-balanced" (80.6%), and the two minority groups as "unwilling/unready" (10.9%) and "family-centred" (8.5%). Group membership was strongly predictive of the males' final decision regarding the hypothetical pregnancy outcome. Understanding adolescent attitudes and beliefs when faced with this decision may assist practitioners in their guidance of the young couple and help prevent negative psychological sequelae. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)

This research examined adolescent males' decision-making when confronted with a hypothetical unplanned pregnancy in a sexual partner. An innovative methodology, involving a computerized simulation game was utilized with 386 Australian males (mean age of 15 years). Data were gathered from responses made during the simulation, and questionnaires assessed idealization of pregnancy and parenthood, stereotypic male beliefs and self-esteem. Descriptive findings are presented, together with multivariate analyses to examine predictors of participants' choices about whether to (a) terminate the pregnancy and (b) continue the relationship with the sexual partner. Idealized beliefs about pregnancy and parenthood were important in the decision relating to the pregnancy outcome (p less than 0.001). The computer simulation has potential as a cost-effective component of adolescent pregnancy prevention programs that could challenge these idealized beliefs.