Teenage Pregnancy
Teenage Pregnancy: Correlation is not Causation
Dahlia Richardson
MAT 540: Statistical Concepts for Research
Ashford University
Professor Dr. Stacy Thorne
June 10, 2013
Teenage Pregnancy
Introduction
Teenage pregnancy has proven itself to be a global problem that places both the mother and child at risk. This paper will examine studies about the risk factors for pregnancy in women under the age of 19 and comparing them to risk factors for women between 19 and 35 inclusively to determine if there is indeed some correlation existing between health and social issues, and teenage pregnancy. To accomplish this task, studies citing a correlation between the above mentioned issue and associated risks will be examined and evaluated to help determine if the correlation is true or spurious in order to validate or dismiss the risk assessment.
Statement of the Problem Teenage pregnancy is a relevant issue because of its implied correlation to health issues, social issues, educational issues, and financial issues. It is a stigma that brings with it many repercussions that follow both the parent and the child and can place them at a disadvantage or stunt their growth potential. According one study, teenage mothers are more likely to develop health issues such as anemia, hypertension, delivering pre-term, and having underweight babies. The same study shows a correlation between poor socio-economic conditions, low literacy rates, and lack of awareness as some of the underlying factors contributing to teenage pregnancies (Mahavarkar, 2008).
Literature Review Correlation is defined as a relationship in which two or more things are mutual or complementary, or one thing is caused by another. In doing a follow up case study on teenage pregnancy, Spear (2004) discovered that the majority of the studies on the subject have been “qualitative in nature with relatively few studies that examine the personal perspective and worldview of the adolescents who experience
Dahlia Richardson
MAT 540: Statistical Concepts for Research
Ashford University
Professor Dr. Stacy Thorne
June 10, 2013
Teenage Pregnancy
Introduction
Teenage pregnancy has proven itself to be a global problem that places both the mother and child at risk. This paper will examine studies about the risk factors for pregnancy in women under the age of 19 and comparing them to risk factors for women between 19 and 35 inclusively to determine if there is indeed some correlation existing between health and social issues, and teenage pregnancy. To accomplish this task, studies citing a correlation between the above mentioned issue and associated risks will be examined and evaluated to help determine if the correlation is true or spurious in order to validate or dismiss the risk assessment.
Statement of the Problem Teenage pregnancy is a relevant issue because of its implied correlation to health issues, social issues, educational issues, and financial issues. It is a stigma that brings with it many repercussions that follow both the parent and the child and can place them at a disadvantage or stunt their growth potential. According one study, teenage mothers are more likely to develop health issues such as anemia, hypertension, delivering pre-term, and having underweight babies. The same study shows a correlation between poor socio-economic conditions, low literacy rates, and lack of awareness as some of the underlying factors contributing to teenage pregnancies (Mahavarkar, 2008).
Literature Review Correlation is defined as a relationship in which two or more things are mutual or complementary, or one thing is caused by another. In doing a follow up case study on teenage pregnancy, Spear (2004) discovered that the majority of the studies on the subject have been “qualitative in nature with relatively few studies that examine the personal perspective and worldview of the adolescents who experience
References: Mahavarkar, S. H., Madhu, C. K., & Mule, V. D. (2008). A comparative study of teenage pregnancy. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 28(6), 604. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215724202?accountid=32521 Spear, H. J. (2004). A follow-up case study on teenage pregnancy: "havin ' a baby isn 't a nightmare, but it 's really hard". Pediatric Nursing, 30(2), 120-5. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/199453705?accountid=32521 falseMirowsky, John. (Mar 2005) Age at First Birth, Health, and Mortality* Journal of Health and Social Behavior46. 1: 32-50. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/docview/201676907/13E703E7D4650C0A4A0/4?accountid=32521 falsefalseRodriquez, Cleo Jr; Moore, Nelwyn B. (Fall 1995). Perceptions of pregnant/parenting teens: Reframing issues for an integrated approach to pregnancy problems. Adolescence30. 119: 685-706. http://search.proquest.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/docview/195940901/13E704196967D2C7175/12?accountid