Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2016 Life Events, Initial Sexual Behaviors, and Teenage Pregnancy Among African American Females Yonzetta Brook Tillman Walden University Follow this and additional works at:https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of thePublic Health Education and Promotion Commons, and theQuantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please [email protected]. Walden University College of Health Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Yonzetta Brook Tillman has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. John Nemecek, Committee Chairperson, Public Health Faculty Dr. Eric Oestmann, Committee Member, Public Health Faculty Dr. Mary Lou Gutierrez, University Reviewer, Public Health Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract Life Events, Initial Sexual Behaviors, and Teenage Pregnancy Among African American Females by Yonzetta Brook Tillman MS, Villanova University, 2000 BS, Morgan State University, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University January 2016 Abstract Teenage pregnancy is disproportionate between African American and Caucasian females. This disproportion is notable because African American teenagers are 3 times more likely to become pregnant than their Caucasian counterparts are. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists among major life events, sexual behaviors, and resultant teenage pregnancy among African American females in the United States. The theoretical framework for this study was social learning theory. Three key research questions focused on relationships among (a) major life events and initial sexual behavior, (b) ethnicity, and (c) teenage pregnancy. Independent variables were life event and ethnicity, and dependent variables were teenage pregnancy and initial sexual behavior. The population sample included a total of 12,284 data observations of African American and Caucasian females. Hypotheses were tested using logistic regression and independent sample t tests. The study used public domain data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Survey of Family Growth. Study results indicated that Research Question (RQ) 1 confirmed that life events are a statistically significant predictor of teen pregnancy. RQ2 confirmed that no significant relationship exists between Caucasian and African American adolescent females and the existence of teen pregnancy. RQ3 confirmed significant mean differences in the age of first sexual intercourse between Caucasians and African Americans. This study may contribute to positive social change by educating and empowering teenage African American women about teen pregnancy, enhancing their social competence, and potentially preventing unwanted pregnancy. Life Events, Initial Sexual Behaviors, and Teenage Pregnancy Among African American Females by Yonzetta Brook Tillman MS, Villanova University, 2000 BS, Morgan State University, 1994 Dissertation Proposal Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University January 2016 Dedication For James L. Brooks, in memoriam, who has been and will always be a great source inspiration and motivation in achieving academic pursuits. Acknowledgments I would like to express a warm thanks to my Chair, Dr. John Nemecek, for his excellent guidance and support. I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Marianne Gutierrez for her direction and insight. In addition, many people, family, friends, co-workers and course mates, have made valuable comments and suggestions on this dissertation which gave me continued inspirations to complete my dissertation. Table of Contents List of Tables……………..…………...………………………..………………………....v List of Figures……………………………..…………………………………………..….vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study...........................……..…………………………...…1 Background of the Study……………………………………………………………...2 Problem Statement…………………………………………………………………… 3 Purpose of the Study…………………………………………………………………. 8 Hypothesis/Research Questions…………………………………………….…………8 Hypothesis 1………………………………………………………………………..8 Hypothesis 2………………………………………………………………………..9 Hypothesis 3………………………………………………………………………..9 Research Question 1………………………………………………………………….9 Research Question 2………………………………………………………………….9 Research Question 3………………………………………………………………….9 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................................... 9 Nature of the Study .......................................................................................................... 10 Definition of Terms ............................................................................................................11 Assumptions, Scope, and Delimitations .......................................................................... 13 Assumptions.. .................................................................................................................... 13 Scope... .............................................................................................................................. 13 Delimitations ..................................................................................................................... 14 Limitations ........................................................................................................................ 14 i Significance of the Study .................................................................................................. 14 Summary and Transition ................................................................................................... 16 Chapter 2: Literature Review…….………………………………………………………17 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..17 Literature Search Strategy……….…………………………………………………...17 Theoretical Foundation………...…………………………………………………….18 Literature Review Key Variables and/or Concepts……………………………….….19 Research and Programming on Teenage Pregnancy………...……………………….19 Social Learning Theory…………………………………………………….………...19 Self-Efficacy ……..…………………………………………………………...…22 Life Events ……….……………………………………………………………….…25 Intervention and Prevention Methods. ………………………………………………27 Abstinence ........................................................................................................................ 28 Sex Education/Contraception ........................................................................................... 30 Overview of Attitudes Toward Premarital Sex …...………………………………....33 Cultural Norms/Youth Development ............................................................................... 34 Cultural Influences and Personal Development ............................................................... 36 Summary and Transition ................................................................................................... 36 Chapter 3: Research Methodology…………………………………………………….…38 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..38 Research Design and Approach ………………………………………………...…...38 Methodology………………….………………………………………………...…....40 ii Population………………..…………………….………………………………….…40 Sampling and Sampling Procedures ………………………………………….……..41 Weighted Sample ……….…………………………………………………………...41 Sample Size Justification………………………………………………………….…42 Data Collection………...………………………………………………………….…42 Operational Definition of Variables……….…………………………………………43 Study Measures ………….…………………………………………………………..44 Scale...………………….………………………………………………………….…51 Descriptive Statistics………………………………………………………………....52 Data Analysis Plan………...………………….……..………………..……………….....52 Threats to Validity…..…….………………………………………….…………...….52 External Threats ……………………………………………………………………..52 Internal Threats … …..…….……………………………………………………...…52 Ethical Procedures.…….………………………………………………………….…52 Summary and Transition ................................................................................................... 52 Chapter 4: Results…………..…………………….…………………………………...…54 Data Treatment ……………………………………………………….…………...…54 Description of the Sample.…………………..……………………………………….56 Detailed Analysis ……….…….………………………………………………….….57 Research Question 1………………………………………………………….….57 Research Question 2…….……………………………………………………….59 Research Question 3…….……………………………………………………….61 iii