Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T10:00:31.123Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Friendship networks and adolescent pregnancy: Examining the potential stigmatization of pregnant teens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 November 2019

Elizabeth Humberstone Open the ORCID record for Elizabeth Humberstone [Opens in a new window]
Elizabeth Humberstone*
Affiliation:
Johns Hopkins University, 2800 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Though declining since the 1990s, adolescent pregnancy remains common in the United States. Social supports appear to improve outcomes for pregnant teens; however, teen pregnancy introduces social obstacles, such as stigma. This study investigates how currently or previously pregnant teens’ friendship networks differ from nonpregnant girls using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) and multilevel regression models. To mitigate concerns that background differences contribute to both pregnancy risk and social networks, girls who experience a pregnancy prior to one data collection time point are compared girls who experience their first pregnancy after this time point. This group who become pregnant after the time point is presumably more similar to already pregnant teens than those never experiencing teen pregnancy. When compared to these girls who become pregnant in the future, those who have already experienced a teen pregnancy report similar numbers of friends (out-nominations) and perceived social acceptance, but are predicted to have fewer peers reporting them as friends (in-nominations) and fewer reciprocated friendships. This suggests that pregnant teens may face stigmatization, of which they may be unaware. It further highlights a new comparison group to account for selection in studies of adolescent pregnancy.

Keywords

teen pregnancyfriendshipssocial networksadolescencehierarchal modeling
Type
Original Article
Information
Network Science , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , December 2019 , pp. 523 - 540
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ashcraft, A., Fernández-Val, I., & Lang, K. (2013). The consequences of teenage childbearing: Consistent estimates when abortion makes miscarriage non-random. The Economic Journal, 123(571), 875–905. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecoj.12005.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Assini-Meytin, L. C., & Green, K. M. (2015). Long-term consequences of adolescent parenthood among African-American urban youth: A propensity score matching approach. Journal of Adolescent Health, 56(5), 529–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.01.005.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baumeister, R., & Leary, M. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bermea, A. M., Toews, M. L., & Wood, L. G. (2016). “Students Getting Pregnant are Not Gonna Go Nowhere” manifestations of stigma in adolescent mothers’ educational environment. Youth & Society, 50(3), 423–436.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bishop, J. A., & Inderbitzen, H. M. (1995). Peer acceptance and friendship: An investigation of their relation to Self-esteem. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 15(4), 476–489. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431695015004005.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bourdieu, P. (1999). Cultural reproduction and social reproduction. Modernity: Cultural Modernity, 2, 351.Google Scholar
Burt, R. S. (2000). The network structure of social capital. Research in Organizational Behavior, 22, 345–423.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carolina Population Center (2001, January). National longitudinal study of adolescent health: Network variables code book. Retrieved from http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/cgi-bin/file?comp=none&study=21600&ds=3&file_id=1215772&path=ICPSR.Google Scholar
Cherry, C. O., Chumbler, N., Bute, J., & Huff, A. (2015). Building a “better life.” SAGE Open, 5(1), 1–9.Google Scholar
Clark, B. (2011). Not yet a woman, not yet a mom: The leisure experiences of pregnant adolescents. South Carolina: Clemson University.Google Scholar
Clemmens, D. (2003). Adolescent motherhood: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. MCN. The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 28(2), 93–99.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Coleman, J. (1988). Social capital in the creation of human capital. American Journal of Sociology, 94, 95–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DeVito, J. (2010). How adolescent mothers feel about becoming a parent. Journal of Perinatal Education, 19(2), 25–34. https://doi.org/10.1624/105812410X495523.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Diaz, C. J., & Fiel, J. E. (2016). The effect(s) of teen pregnancy: Reconciling theory, methods, and findings. Demography, 53(1), 85–116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-015-0446-6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fox, J., & Weisberg, S. (2011). An R companion to applied regression (2nd ed.). Retrieved from http://socserv.socsci.mcmaster.ca/jfox/Books/Companion.Google Scholar
Gubbels, J., van der Put, C. E., & Assink, M. (2019). Risk factors for school absenteeism and dropout: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48, 1637–1667. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-019-01072-5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Guttmacher Institute (2014). U.S. teen pregnancy, birth and abortion rates reach historic lows. Retrieved from https://www.guttmacher.org/news-release/2014/us-teen-pregnancy-birth-and-abortion-rates-reach-historic-lows.Google Scholar
Guttmacher Institute (2016). U.S. teenage pregnancies, births and abortions, 2011: National trends by age, race and ethnicity. Retrieved from https://www.guttmacher.org/report/us-teen-pregnancy-trends-2011.Google Scholar
Harris, K. (2013). The add health study: Design and accomplishments. Retrieved from http://www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth/documentation/guides/DesignPaperWIIV.pdf.Google Scholar
Harris, K., Halpern, C., Whitsel, E., Hussey, J., Tabor, J., Entzel, P., & Udry, J. (2009). The national longitudinal study of adolescent to adult health: Research design. Retrieved from http://www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth/design.Google Scholar
Hartup, W. W. (1996). The company they keep: Friendships and their developmental significance. Child Development, 67(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.2307/1131681.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haynie, D. L., Doogan, N. J., & Soller, B. (2014). Gender, friendship networks, and delinquency: A dynamic network approach. Criminology, 52(4), 688–722. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12052.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Herrman, J. (2008). Adolescent perceptions of teen births. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 37(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2007.00201.x.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hoffman, S. (2015). Teen childbearing and economics: A short history of a 25-year research love affair. Societies, 5(3), 646–663.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hoffman, S., Foster, M., & Furstenberg, F. (1993). Reevaluating the costs of teenage childbearing. Demography, 30(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.2307/2061859.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hoffman, S., & Maynard, R. (2008). Kids having kids: Economic costs and social consequences of teen pregnancy (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Urban Institute Press.Google Scholar
Holmlund, H. (2005). Estimating long-term consequences of teenage childbearing: An examination of the siblings approach. The Journal of Human Resources, 40(3), 716–743.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7), 32–40. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hotz, V. J., McElroy, S. W., & Sanders, S. G. (2005). Teenage childbearing and its life cycle consequences: Exploiting a natural experiment. Journal of Human Resources, XL(3), 683–715. https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.XL.3.683.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
House, J., Landis, K., & Umberson, D. (1988). Social relationships and health. Science, 241(4865), 540–545. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.3399889.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Johnson, A. J., Wittenberg, E., Haigh, M., Wigley, S., Becker, J., Brown, K., & Craig, E. (2004). The process of relationship development and deterioration: Turning points in friendships that have terminated. Communication Quarterly, 52(1), 54–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jose, R., Hipp, J. R., Butts, C. T., Wang, C., & Lakon, C. M. (2016). Network structure, influence, selection, and adolescent delinquent behavior: Unpacking a dynamic process. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 43(2), 264–284. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854815605524.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kane, J. B., Morgan, S. P., Harris, K. M., & Guilkey, D. K. (2013). The educational consequences of teen childbearing. Demography, 50(6), 2129–2150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-013-0238-9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kearney, M. S., & Levine, P. B. (2012). Why is the teen birth rate in the United States so high and why does it matter? The Journal of Economic Perspectives: A Journal of the American Economic Association, 26(2), 141–166.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kleiner, B., Porch, R., & Farris, E. (2002). Public alternative schools and programs for students at risk of education failure: 2000-2001. Education Statistics Quarterly, 4(3), 44–63.Google Scholar
Kreager, D. A., & Staff, J. (2009). The sexual double standard and adolescent peer acceptance. Social Psychology Quarterly, 72(2), 143–164. https://doi.org/10.1177/019027250907200205.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lehr, C. A., Tan, C. S., & Ysseldyke, J. (2008). Alternative schools: A synthesis of state-level policy and research. Remedial and Special Education, 30(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932508315645.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Letourneau, N. L., Stewart, M. J., & Barnfather, A. K. (2004). Adolescent mothers: Support needs, resources, and support-education interventions. Journal of Adolescent Health, 35(6), 509–525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2004.01.007.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lin, N. (1999). Building a network theory of social capital. Connections, 22(1), 28–51.Google Scholar
Link, B. G., & Phelan, J. C. (2001). Conceptualizing stigma. Annual Review of Sociology, 27(1), 363–385.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lohr, M. J., & Gillmore, M. R. (1991). Adolescent friendships during pregnancy and early parenting. Presented at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Seattle, WA. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED343728.Google Scholar
Maness, S. B., & Buhi, E. R. (2016). Associations between social determinants of health and pregnancy among young people: A systematic review of research published during the past 25 years. Public Health Reports, 131(1), 86–99.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Manlove, J., Ikramullah, E., Mincieli, L., Holcombe, E., & Danish, S. (2009). Trends in sexual experience, contraceptive use, and teenage childbearing: 1992–2002. Journal of Adolescent Health, 44(5), 413–423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.09.006.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marcus, R. F., & Sanders-Reio, J. (2001). The influence of attachment on school completion. School Psychology Quarterly, 16(4), 427–444. https://doi.org/10.1521/scpq.16.4.427.19894.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Campaign, National to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (2014). Teen birth rates: How does the United States compare (p. 1). National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.Google Scholar
Perper, K., Peterson, K., & Manlove, J. (2010). Diploma attainment among teen mothers (No. #2010-01; pp. 1–4). Washington, DC: Child Trends.Google Scholar
Poulin, F., & Chan, A. (2010). Friendship stability and change in childhood and adolescence. Developmental Review, 30(3), 257–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2009.01.001.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ricard, N. C., & Pelletier, L. G. (2016). Dropping out of high school: The role of parent and teacher self-determination support, reciprocal friendships and academic motivation. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 44–45, 32–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2015.12.003.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rose, S. M. (1984). How friendships end: Patterns among young adults. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 1(3), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407584013001.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rumberger, R. W. (2011). Dropping out: Why students drop out of high school and what can be done about it. USA: Harvard University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sherman, L. E., & Greenfield, P. M. (2013). Forging friendship, soliciting support: A mixed-method examination of message boards for pregnant teens and teen mothers. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(1), 75–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.07.018.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Small, M. L. (2009). Unanticipated gains. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SmithBattle, L. (1995). Teenage mother’s narratives of self: An examination of risking the Future. Advances in Nursing Science, 17(4), 22–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SmithBattle, L. (2007). “I Wanna Have a Good Future”: Teen mothers’ rise in educational aspirations, competing demands, and limited school support. Youth & Society, 38(3), 348–371. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X06287962.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Solon, G., Haider, S., & Wooldridge, J. (2015). What are we weighting for? Journal of Human Resources, 50(2), 301–316.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stuart, E. A. (2010). Matching methods for causal inference: A review and a look forward. Statistical Science, 25(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1214/09-STS313.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thompson, M. S. (1986). The influence of supportive relations on the psychological well-being of teenage mothers. Social Forces, 64(4), 1006–1024. https://doi.org/10.2307/2578791.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Turner, C. F., Ku, L., Rogers, S. M., Lindberg, L. D., Pleck, J. H., & Sonenstein, F. L. (1998). Adolescent sexual behavior, drug use, and violence: Increased reporting with computer survey technology. Science, 280(5365), 867–873. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.280.5365.867.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
van Buuren, S., & Groothuis-Oudshoorn, K. (2011). MICE: Multivariate imputation by chained equations in R. Journal of Statistical Software, 45(3), 1–67.Google Scholar
Vaquera, E., & Kao, G. (2008). Do you like me as much as I like you? Friendship reciprocity and its effects on school outcomes among adolescents. Social Science Research, 37(1), 55–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2006.11.002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wiemann, C. M., Rickert, V. I., Berenson, A. B., & Volk, R. J. (2005). Are pregnant adolescents stigmatized by pregnancy? The Journal of Adolescent Health: Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 36(4), 352.e1–352.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2004.06.006.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Woodward, L., Fergusson, D., & Horwood, L. J. (2001). Risk factors and life processes associated with teenage pregnancy: Results of a prospective study from birth to 20 years. Journal of Marriage and Family, 63, 1170–1184.CrossRefGoogle Scholar