Exploring the Underlying Causes and Psychological Consequences of Teen Pregnancy in the Philippines

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy has become a global and a public health concern as mortality rates associated with it are on the increase. In the last 2 decades, worldwide, the pregnancy rates are slowly decreasing. However, this is not the case in the Philippines, yet not much is known about its background as majority of the studies have focused on teen motherhood and its effects. This current study explores the underlying causes of teen sexual activity that leads to pregnancy and the psychological consequences in the light of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model. Utilizing qualitative case study method, 9 participants (3 teen mothers, 3 friends, and three parents) were interviewed. Data were transcribed and analyzed using Miles, Huberman, and Saldana’s thematic analysis. Three main themes emerged, namely: sociocultural factors (peer influence, lack of parental guidance, culture, and transactional sex), individual factors (curiosity and poor sex knowledge, uncontrolled emotions, and revenge), and psychological consequences (emotional reactions, fear, and low self-esteem). Implications are discussed and recommendations for future research are made