Citation

Walsh K, Basu A, Monk C. J. Pediatr. Adolesc. Gynecol. 2014; 28(5): 327-332.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpag.2014.09.012

PMID

26130137

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Latinas have the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy in the United States. Identifying means to improve the well-being of these young women is critical. The current study examined whether a history of child sexual abuse-itself a risk factor for adolescent pregnancy-was associated with more perceived stress and negative mood over the course of pregnancy and whether dysfunctional attitudes explained these associations. DESIGN AND SETTING: This mixed methods study involved laboratory-based assessments of perceived stress, sexual abuse history, and dysfunctional attitudes, as well as Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA) of mood states every 30 minutes during a 24-hour period once during each trimester of pregnancy. PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant adolescents (N = 204, 85% Latina). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: EMA mood states and laboratory-based retrospective self-reports of perceived stress.

RESULTS: One in 4 pregnant adolescents had a history of sexual abuse. Sexually abused adolescents reported greater perceived stress during the first trimester relative to those without, though the groups did not differ on EMA negative mood ratings. Dysfunctional attitudes explained associations between sexual abuse and perceived stress. Sexual abuse was indirectly associated with the intercept and slope of negative mood through dysfunctional attitudes.

FINDINGS were circumscribed to sexual abuse and not other types of child abuse.

CONCLUSIONS: Identifying sexually abused pregnant adolescents and providing support and cognitive therapy to target dysfunctional beliefs may decrease stress during the first trimester as well as negative affect throughout pregnancy.

Language: en