Keywords

Teenage pregnancy, abortion, sex education, policy, contraception, state policy

Abstract

Using multiple regression analysis, this study analyzes the impact of state-level adolescent reproductive health statutes on rates of teenage pregnancy, birth and abortion rates. This study also analyzes the impact that adolescent reproductive health policy outputs have had on teenage pregnancy outcomes between 1992 and 2008, and the disparate impact of policies on minority teens. While some preventive adolescent reproductive health policies are found to impact teen pregnancy outcomes, most research findings pertain to the impact of abortion policy. Restrictions on minors' access to confidential prenatal care are associated with reduced rates of teen abortion while restricting access to contraceptive services is associated with increases in teen abortion. Surprisingly, states with more family planning program spending are found to have been less effective in reducing rates of teen pregnancy and births between 1992 and 2008. Abortion restrictions are found to decrease rates of teen abortion and increase rates of teen birth. Mandated parental involvement in minors' abortions is found to increase rates of teen birth and contributed to a slower rate of decline in teen abortion between 1992 and 2008. This study indicates disparate impact of both preventive adolescent reproductive health policies and restrictive abortion policies. Restrictive abortion statutes were found to have an exceptionally strong positive effect on rates of Black teen birth, with a moderate impact on Hispanic teen birth and no impact on White teen birth.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2015

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Martin, Lawrence

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Health and Public Affairs

Degree Program

Public Affairs; Governance and Policy Research

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0005586

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0005586

Language

English

Release Date

May 2015

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

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