Date of Award:

5-1985

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Human Development and Family Studies

Department name when degree awarded

Family and Human Development

Committee Chair(s)

Glen O. Jenson

Committee

Glen O. Jenson

Committee

Brent Miller

Committee

Ronald Peterson

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the quality of family life presently experienced by women who were premaritally pregnant as teenagers. Self-esteem and general life satisfaction were measured in order to evaluate the results of pregnancy decisions made five to 10 years earlier. A survey design was used to (1) obtain demographic data, (2) analyze the relationships between these women and their parents, (3) determine the level and type of education completed by the women, (4) compare mothers who married before the birth of the child, single mothers, and mothers releasing their children for adoption on many variables constituting well-being. Data were gathered during personal interviews with 46 women.

In this small unrepresentative sample, the results show no significant differences in the present well-being of women based on their previous decisions. Each of the test groups exhibit interesting characteristics with regard to present marital status, amount of education completed, and relationships with children.

The mothers who show higher levels of life satisfaction are also those who are employed either part-time or full- time and have higher family income levels.

In general, women in the study were found to be satisfied with their lives and seemed to be functioning well. Some trends were noted, indicating a need for further study, particularly in the area of mothers relinquishing children for adoption.

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