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Mental Health

Learning Disability

A learning disability is a disorder that affects one’s ability to effectively learn or use basic skills such as reading, writing and mathematics. Knowing how the brain works, will help you to understand what can go wrong. Basically, there are four steps our brain goes through when processing information; input, integration, memory/storage and output.

Input – the brain receives information through either auditory or visual channels
Integration – the brain integrates or organizes the information
Memory/Storage – the brain retains the information so that it can be used appropriately
Output – the information is presented either verbally or visually (writing, visual expression)

When your teen is suffering with a learning problem, one or more of these steps are being affected.

Learning disabilities are quite prevalent in our schools. According to LDA (Learning Disability Association of America), about 1 in 7 people suffer from a learning disability and “among school-age children, more than 6% are currently receiving special education services because of learning disabilities”. 1

Learning disabilities are not indicative of intelligence. Your teen can have normal to above normal intelligence and still suffer from a learning problem. Knowing the signs and getting help immediately is the best way to deal with the situation.

Signs of a Learning Disability

Although the various types of learning disabilities can display different warning signs, there are common signs to all of them.

* Short attention span/easily distracted
* Frustration
* Disorganization
* Hard time remembering things
* Difficulty understanding directions
* Falling grades

Types of Learning Disabilities

Some teens may suffer one particular type of learning problem, while others may have difficulty in a combination of areas. While ADD/ADDH is not a learning disability, it does have an impact on learning. A lot of teens who are diagnosed with ADD/ADDH also suffer from another type of learning disability as well. The most common types are listed below.

Dyslexia
* Involves mixing up words/letters while reading and/or writing language
* Genetic – most teens will have a relative with this disorder as well
* Signs include reading slowly, trouble with spelling, substituting words with one another

Dyscalculia
* Difficulty understanding and applying mathematical concepts
* Signs include having problems with time, value, simple math, sequencing and money to name a few.

Dysgraphia
* Difficulty in writing
* Signs include ineligible writing, mixing small/upper case together, mixing print/cursive together, spaces words incorrectly, misses words and/or letters while writing. Usually the teens writing will be slow and they might hold a pen/pencil awkwardly.

Dyspraxia
* A disability that involves problems with motor coordination and Sensory Integration Disorder (a neurological disorder in which the brain has difficulty integrating sensory information)
* Signs include stumbling, breaking things, trouble with fine motor skills, sensitivity to touch and/or sounds

Treatment for a Learning Disability

Learning disabilities are a life-long battle. Although they cannot be “cured”, with the proper support and treatment teens can learn to effectively cope with them and improve their daily lives. First and foremost, check with your teens medical doctor to rule out any physical causes such as problems with their sight and/or hearing.

If you suspect your teen is showing some of the symptoms, talk with your teen’s school. All schools have special education programs that are there to help with these types of disorders. You will be able to sit down with your teen’s teachers and other staff to set up an IEP (Individualized Education Program). This is a program designed specifically for your teen to address their particular needs. When appropriate, your teen will be involved in this process as well.

It’s also important to know that there are laws set up to help protect your teen. Section 504 is a federal law which was created to prevent discrimination for people with disabilities. Schools are required to show what accommodations they will be providing for children with such disabilities.

Categories
Mental Health

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Many parents have been shocked at least once by a formerly cooperative teen resisting the house rules, talking back, or otherwise acting defiantly, but this type of behavior may just be part of normal growing up. More is required for a diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Why Oppositional Defiant Disorder Is Difficult to Understand

There are two main guides to health issues and disorders that are used to guide the diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Whereas in many cases, these two resources present a similar view of disorders, in the case of Oppositional Defiant Disorder, the categorization is at odds, and this, in addition to a complicated definition, makes it difficult to understand what Oppositional Defiant Disorder is.

The DSM-IV-TR View of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) includes Oppositional Defiant Disorder as a subcategory of Attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders, along with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and Disruptive Behavior Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified).

Diagnosing ODD using the DSM-IV-TR criteria, which can only be done by mental health professionals who are qualified to do so,is only after determination that the criteria for Conduct Disorder are not met and, if the person is 18 or older, that criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder are not met.

In that case, the individual must demonstrate a pattern of behavior that has lasted at least 6 months and shown at least four of the following signs or symptoms:

• frequently losing temper

• frequently argues with adults

• frequently defying or refusing to cooperate with the requests or rules of adults

• frequently annoying others on purpose

• frequently scapegoating others for his or her own mistakes or misbehavior

• frequently showing a high degree of sensitivity and touchiness with others

• frequently acting angry and resentful

• frequently acting spiteful or vindictive.

In addition, the behavior disturbance must:

• be more frequently that is normal for other individuals of similar age and development;

• cause “clinically significant impairment” in at least one area of life, whether academic, social, or occupational;

• not occur solely as the result of a psychotic disorder or mood disorder.

According to the Surgeon General’s website, Oppositional Defiant Disorder is sometimes considered a “precursor of conduct disorder.”

ICD-10 View of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10) takes a different approach to Oppositional Defiant Disorder than the DSM-IV-TR. It includes it under the category “Behavioral and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence” within the subcategory “Conduct disorders.” The other members of the category are:

• Conduct disorder confined to the family context

• Unsocialized conduct disorder

• Socialized conduct disorder

• Other conduct disorders

• Conduct disorder unspecified.

As you can see, it is the only member of the category that does not have conduct disorder in its name. The subcategory “Conduct disorders” is separate from the following category, called “Mixed disorders of conduct and emotions,” which addresses the limitation in the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria that rules out behavior that is only present in connection with a mood disorder or psychotic disorder.

The ICD-10 diagnosis, which specifically says that it usually occurs in “younger children,” begins with a child meeting the criteria for Conducts disorders generally. This requires that the pattern of behavior–whether dissocial, aggressive, or defiant—be both repetitive and persistent, as well as well outside age-appropriate expectations, and last six months or longer. If the behavior can be explained by a different psychiatric diagnosis, that explanation should be preferred.

Given that those criteria are met, one goes on to the specific Oppositional Defiant Disorder criteria, which limits the characterization of the behaviors to acts that are “defiant, disobedient, disruptive,” but not delinquent, extremely aggressive, or extremely dissocial, nor merely extremely mischievous or naughty.

The Upshot of Differing Understandings

A research study published in 2005 found that some children who were diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder using the criteria of ICD-10 as described above received no DSM-IV diagnosis, and this is a problem. The study suggested ways of addressing the situation.

If this comparison does nothing else, it will hopefully equip parents whose child is being considered for an ODD diagnosis, has been ruled out from having such a diagnosis, or has already received such a diagnosis to be able to discuss the criteria whereby the child’s behavior was analyzed and ask knowledgeable questions.

Sources

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/
chapter3/sec6.html#disruptive

http://apps.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icd10online/?gf90.htm+f913

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16313431

Categories
Physical Problems

Teen Smoking

Teen smoking had been on a sharp decline since the mid-late 1990’s, but recent data shows that the adolescent smoking rates are rising slightly.

According to a 2005 study done by the CDC, 23% of high school students reported smoking cigarettes in the last month. This is compared with a previous study of high school students that showed 21.9% in 2003. While this data is somewhat discouraging it is far better than the 1997 level of the same survey at 36.4%. The rise appears to be greatest among white and Hispanic teens while the rates of teen smoking declined among black teens.

There is no concrete evidence at this time to show why the teen smoking statistics have declined since 1997, but some believe it is in better awareness efforts. Some also feel that it is due to a decline in media glamorizing smoking.

The CDC study showed that 80% of smokers begin before the age of 18. A similar study which was published by the American Lung Association website shows 90% of smokers begin before the age of 21.

A study that was done by the CDC also found some interesting facts and estimates:
1. About 3,900 teens under 18 start smoking each day.
2. Of the 3,900 teens that start smoking each day – 1500 will become regular smokers.
3. Those who smoke often have secondary behavioral issues such as violence, drug/alcohol use, and high-risk sexual behavior.

Some of the contributing factors of teenage smoking are:
1. Low socioeconomic status
2. Use or approval of smoking by siblings/peers
3. Smoking by parents
4. Availability and price of tobacco
5. Lack of parent support / involvement
6. Lower self-image or self-esteem

Consequences of teen smoking:
1. Chronic cough – if smoking is continued
2. Reduced stamina
3. Bad breath
4. Yellow teeth
5. Stinky clothes
6. Expensive habit – 1 pack/day = about $1000/year.

Some tips for parents to help prevent teen smoking:
1. Educate your child about the dangers of smoking early on.
2. Be a good example. Only 2 percent of smokers have parents who don’t smoke. (Mayo Clinic).
3. Don’t leave cigarettes where children or teens may have access to them.
4. Teach the teen or child refusal skills

The CDC reports more recent teen smoking statistics, from a 2012 survey, that reports nearly identical numbers to the 2005 statistics. Results show 23.3% of high school students confirming their use of some type of tobacco product at least once in the last 30 days. Statistics confirm that males are more likely than females to use tobacco products, but the gap is narrowing. From 2011 to 2012 there was a significant increase in the use of electronic cigarettes among both middle school and high school students. Traditional cigarettes continue to be the most widely used form of tobacco product but the most significant increase of use from 2011 to 2012 was seen in nonconventional tobacco products like electronic cigarettes (ecigs) and hookahs.

Teen Smoking Statistics Sources: CDC, Mayo Clinic, ALA

Categories
Mental Health

Conduct Disorders

Why Conduct Disorder Is Difficult to Understand

The two primary guides to diagnosing disorders, both of which are used in the diagnosis of Conduct Disorder are the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10).

In some cases, the two guides have a similar analysis of disorders and how they relate to each other. In the case of conduct disorder, however, the two views are different, complicating understanding.

The DSM-IV-TR View of Conduct Disorder

The DSM-IV-TR lists Conduct Disorder as a subcategory of “Attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders,” along with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Disruptive Behavior Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified). There are three specific subcategories of Conduct Disorder, distinguished by the time of onset: in childhood, during adolescence, or unspecified.

Diagnosing Conduct Disorder using the DSM-IV-TR criteria, which should only be done by qualified mental health professionals. If the person is 18 or older, a diagnosis of Conduct Disorder cannot be given unless the criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder are not met.

The descriptions make it clear that this is a more serious disorder than Oppositional Defiant Disorder. For a diagnosis, the person must demonstrate a pattern of behavior that has included three or more symptoms of those listed below for at least the past 12 months and shown at least one in the past 6 months:

• Aggression towards people and animals

  • frequently bullies, threatens, or intimidates
  • frequently initiates physical altercations
  • has employed a weapon capable of causing serious physical harm
  • has shown physical cruelty to people
  • has shown physical cruelty to animals
  • has confronted and stolen something from a victim
  • has forced sexual activity on someone

• Property destruction

  • has set at least one fire meaning to cause notable damage
  • has purposely destroyed property in some other way

• Deceit or theft

  • has forcibly entered someone else’s house or car without permission
  • frequently lies, conning others
  • has stolen items without a confrontation

• Serious rule violations

  • has frequently broken the house rules and stayed out at night, since before age 13
  • at least twice has stayed away from home overnight without permission or once for an extended period
  • has frequently been truant from school, since before age 13. 

In addition, these behavior disturbances must:

• result in “clinically significant impairment” in either academic, social, or occupational functioning;

If Childhood-Onset type is diagnosed, at least one characteristic must have manifested prior to age 10, whereas is Adolescent-Onset is diagnosed, there must be an absence of manifestation of any of the behaviors prior to age 10. The severity can be designated as mild, moderate, or severe.

ICD-10 View of Conduct Disorder

ICD-10 takes a different approach to Conduct Disorder than the DSM-IV-TR. It includes Conduct Disorder under the category “Behavioral and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence” and designates six subcategories, which are:

• Conduct disorder confined to the family context

• Unsocialized conduct disorder

• Socialized conduct disorder

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

• Other conduct disorders

• Conduct disorder unspecified.

So ODD is a subset of Conduct disorder in the ICD-10 analysis, but not in the DMS-IV-TR analysis, and the category of Conduct Disorder is subdivided in a completely different way, based not on age of onset, but on other specifics of how it manifests.

Diagnosis of any of the ICD-10 subgroups requires that a child first meet the criteria for Conduct disorders generally. This means that the pattern of disruptive behavior–which may be dissocial, aggressive, or defiant—must both be repetitive and persistent, notably beyond outside age-appropriate expectations, and last for six months or longer. If a different psychiatric diagnosis explains the symptoms, that diagnosis should be used.

The further criteria that separate the subcategories are:

• Conduct disorder confined to the family context occurs only or almost only in the home and with members of the family or household.

• Unsocialized conduct disorder is marked by serious abnormalities in relationships between the child and other children.

• Socialized conduct disorder is diagnosed when a person gets along well with peers, and is generally characterized by delinquent activities as a group, or gang, as well as truancy.

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder is usually diagnosed in younger children and the behaviors demonstrated are better characterized as disobedient, defiant, and disruptive rather than delinquent, dissocial, or aggressive.

Understanding a Diagnosis of Conduct Disorder

If you or someone you know has a child who has received a diagnosis of conduct this order, you can use the information in this article to ask questions and find out more. Which type of conduct disorder has been diagnosed and according to which definition? Which criteria were met to support the diagnosis?

Sources

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/
chapter3/sec6.html#disruptive

http://apps.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icd10online/?gf90.htm+f913

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/
chapter3/sec6.html

Categories
Mental Health

Bipolar Disorder

Teen Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is an illness that can have serious impacts on teens and their families. Teen bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder, causes teens to experience extreme moods, known as mania and depression. Mania causes a teen to feel overly energetic and irritable, while teens suffering from depression feel sad, tired, and unable to do anything. Scientists do not yet fully understand teen bipolar disorder, but it seems to be caused by chemical imbalances in the teen’s brain. Teen bipolar disorder cannot be cured, but it can be treated with therapy, and sometimes medications.

Teens with bipolar disorder experience intense moods, often without a clear cause. They may change rapidly from mania to depression, or experience one extreme or the other with long periods of normal or less extreme moods in between. These mood changes are more severe and extreme than the normal ups and downs that every teen experiences. Sometimes stress, medications, or environmental factors can trigger a manic or depressive episode, but the exact causes of bipolar disorder are not yet known. Bipolar disorder seems to have a genetic component, and teens whose close family members have bipolar disorder are more likely to develop bipolar disorder.

Commons signs of mania include:

  • High energy
  • Irritability
  • Violent outbursts
  • Excessive, rapid talking, often jumping from one topic to another
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Little need for sleep
  • Poor judgement, sometimes leading to spending sprees, drug use, or sexual promiscuity
  • Obsession with sexuality
  • Grandiosity, which is an unrealistic sense of one’s abilities, such as thinking one has special powers. Many young people like to imagine having special abilities, have trouble evaluating risk, or exaggerate their own unique talents and skills; this generally only becomes a symptom if the teen tries to act on the ability, like trying to fly. 

Episodes of depression can cause:

  • Prolonged sadness or boredom
  • A feeling of emptiness
  • Loss of interest or energy
  • Headaches and body aches
  • Changes in sleeping or eating habits
  • Fatigue
  • Feeling worried, hopeless, guilty, or anxious
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior 

Some teens with bipolar disorder show signs of mania and depression in the same day, sometimes even at the same time, such as feeling depressed, but engaging in manic activities. Other teens with bipolar disorder never have severe manic episodes, only minor episodes known as hypomania. Teens who suffer from bipolar disorder may deny that they have a problem, especially while experiencing mania. Some other signs of teen bipolar disorder can include:

  • Poor performance in school
  • Talking or thinking about running away
  • Using drugs or alcohol
  • Engaging in self-destructive behaviors, such as fighting
  • Becoming isolated
  • Being overly sensitive
  • Delusions or hallucinations
  • Thinking about or attempting suicide 

Because doctors are just beginning to understand teen bipolar disorder, they are not yet sure of the number of teens who suffer from it, but about 10 million Americans have bipolar disorder. Many adults who develop bipolar disorder begin to show symptoms in their late teens, but researchers believe that bipolar disorder may begin much younger in some individuals.

A teen who may have bipolar disorder should visit a doctor, who can make sure the teen does not have another medical condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, or substance abuse problems. A doctor or therapist can recommend and provide treatments for teen bipolar disorder. Treatment may consist of counseling, often combined with a mood stabilizing medication. The use of medication by teens should be monitored carefully; while it helps many people, it may cause suicidal thoughts and behavior in teens.

Families can help teens with bipolar disorder by:

  • Understanding, and helping the teen to understand, that he or she has an illness, and that this illness is not the teen’s fault, but that he or she can do things to feel better.
  • Enrolling in family therapy.
  • Seeking help for any other untreated mental illnesses in family members, such as depression or anxiety; this sets a good example and reduces stress in the family.
  • Providing a quiet environment for the teen, with a regular schedule, especially for sleep.
  • Being patient; avoid telling your teen to “snap out of it” or “get over it.”
  • Always taking talk of suicide seriously and seeking immediate medical help for suicidal teens; be especially alert after a traumatic event like moving, divorce, death in the family, or loss of a friendship or boyfriend or girlfriend. 

Some things teens with bipolar disorder can do to reduce symptoms include:

  • Follow any treatments prescribed by your therapist or doctor
  • Consider keeping a daily journal of your thoughts and feelings
  • Learn ways to manage stress, such as yoga, deep breathing exercises, going for walks, or listening to soothing music
  • Exercise, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep
  • Avoid drugs, alcohol, and caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate, and many sodas
  • Ask for help when you feel you need it 

Teens with bipolar disorder are at increased risk for suicide. A teen who is having suicidal thoughts or actions should get medical help immediately, or call 911 or a suicide prevention hotline, such as 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433); check your phone book for local suicide prevention hotlines or mental health centers.

Sources:
National Institute of Mental Health, “Bipolar Disorder” [online]
WebMD.com and Healthwise, “Bipolar Disorder in Childhood” [online]
National Alliance on Mental Illness, “Bipolar Disorder” [online]
Nemours Foundation, TeensHealth, “Bipolar Disorder” [online]
Kowatch, et. al., “Treatment Guidelines for Children and Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder,” Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 44:3, March 2005 [online]

Categories
Troubled Teen Issues

Behavior Problems

Not everything that can happen will happen. This is a good thing to keep in mind when considering the range of issues that can afflict adolescents. It is also important to remember that because of chemical and hormonal imbalances, the difficulties of creating an identity, the sensitivities of adolescents, and the tensions between being cool to peers and respectful to parents, all teens are likely to—at least occasionally—behave in a way that their parents deem unacceptable.

But here, we’re not discussing a child who occasionally swears, breaks curfew, takes more ice cream than you said he or she could, or argues heatedly for more time with the family car. This article focuses on and provides an overview of the more concerning behavior problems that can afflict a teen.

What Is a Behavior Problem?

Although some people may casually lump all issues when teens act in a problematic way as “behavior problems,” it is actually useful to distinguish behavior problems from other types of issues. For example, a mental health issue may lead to problematic behaviors, but a mood disorder, like bipolar disorder, is not a “behavior problem” per se.

In addition, what appears to be a behavior problem may be caused by a different type of underlying issue—for example, substance abuse that arises out of an attempt to deal with a major depression. If this is the case, treating the behavior in isolation from its root cause will not be successful: the substance abuse and depression need to be addressed in tandem.

The role of an apparent behavior problem in signaling other issues may be more evident in a teen than in an adult. For example, an adult who can’t afford to lose his or her job may have the maturity, experience, and self-preservation instincts to hide his or her feelings about some practice or situation that seems entirely unfair in the workplace. A teen faced with the same situation or practice at school or at work and not having the same level of maturity may manifest his or her contempt or righteous indignation by his or her behavior, whether words or actions or facial expressions.

In addition, some types of problem seem to defy clear categorization. When one person does physical harm to another person or property, is it even without some other type of mental health issue? It’s difficult to say. Even the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10) groups “Mental and behavioral disorders” as a group. For these reasons, the list below does not attempt to be complete or to sort out all the issues of what is a behavior problem and what would be better classified in another way.

Some Behavior Problems that May Afflict Adolescents and Require Expert Help

• Teenagers are curious, and they may try substances that are illegal period or illegal for them to use at their age. If there is no other underlying cause, then substance abuse is a behavior problem.

• There are several behavior problems that the DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision) classifies under the heading Attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders. These include the following:

  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), which has four subtypes
  • Conduct Disorder, which has three subtypes
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
  • Disruptive Behavior Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

• The DSM-IV-TR also includes Antisocial behavior with two subtypes

• The ICD-10 classifies a group of “Behavioral syndromes,” that lists eating disorders—including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, overeating, and vomiting—are often linked to adolescence.

• The ICD-10 also lists “Behavioral and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence.” The ones most closely tied to behavior include:

  • Hyperkinetic disorders, of which Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is a subgroup
  • Conduct disorders, which in the ICD-10 includes Oppositional defiant disorder
Categories
Troubled Teen Issues

Teen Pregnancy

Teen Pregnancy Statistics and Teen Pregnancy Facts

The United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the western industrialized world. Teen pregnancy costs the United States at least $7 billion annually.

Thirty-four percent of young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20 — about 820,000 a year. Eight in ten of these teen pregnancies are unintended and 79 percent are to unmarried teens.

The teen birth rate has declined slowly but steadily from 1991 to 2002 with an overall decline of 30 percent for those aged 15 to 19. These recent declines reverse the 23-percent rise in the teenage birth rate from 1986 to 1991. The largest decline since 1991 by race was for black women. The birth rate for black teens aged 15 to 19 fell 42 percent between 1991 to 2002. Hispanic teen birth rates declined 20 percent between 1991 and 2002. The rates of both Hispanics and blacks, however, remain higher than for other groups. Hispanic teens now have the highest teenage birth rates. Most teenagers giving birth before 1980 were married whereas most teens giving birth today are unmarried.

The younger a teenaged girl is when she has sex for the first time, the more likely she is to have had unwanted or non-voluntary sex. Close to four in ten girls who had first intercourse at 13 or 14 report it was either non-voluntary or unwanted.

Teenage Pregnancy Consequences
Teen mothers are less likely to complete high school (only one-third receive a high school diploma) and only 1.5% have a college degree by age 30. Teen mothers are more likely to end up on welfare (nearly 80 percent of unmarried teen mothers end up on welfare).

The children of teenage mothers have lower birth weights, are more likely to perform poorly in school, and are at greater risk of abuse and neglect.

The sons of teen mothers are 13 percent more likely to end up in prison while teen daughters are 22 percent more likely to become teen mothers themselves.

Teen Pregnancy Prevention
The primary reason that teenage girls who have never had intercourse give for abstaining from sex is that having sex would be against their religious or moral values. Other reasons cited include desire to avoid pregnancy, fear of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and not having met the appropriate partner. Three of four girls and over half of boys report that girls who have sex do so because their boyfriends want them to.

Teenagers who have strong emotional attachments to their parents are much less likely to become sexually active at an early age and less likely to have a teen pregnancy.

Most people say teens should remain abstinent but should have access to contraception. Ninety-four percent of adults in the United States-and 91 percent of teenagers-think it important that school-aged children and teenagers be given a strong message from society that they should abstain from sex until they are out of high school. Seventy-eight percent of adults also think that sexually active teenagers should have access to contraception to prevent teen pregnancy.

Contraceptive use among sexually active teens has increased but remains inconsistent. Three-quarters of teens use some method of contraception (usually a condom) the first time they have sex. A sexually active teen who does not use contraception has a 90 percent chance of teen pregnancy within one year.

Parents rate high among many adolescents as trustworthy and preferred information sources on birth control. One in two teens say they “trust” their parents most for reliable and complete information about birth control, only 12 percent say a friend.

Teens who have been raised by both parents (biological or adoptive) from birth, have lower probabilities of having sex than youths who grew up in any other family situation. At age 16, 22 percent of girls from intact families and 44 percent of other girls have had sex at least once. Similarly, teens from intact, two-parent families are less likely to give birth in their teens than girls from other family backgrounds.

Teen Pregnancy information obtained from The National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy