We conducted a qualitative study of the attitudes of teens and parents toward the use of a patient portal. We conducted two teen and two parent focus groups, one teen electronic bulletin board, and one parent electronic bulletin board. Videotapes and transcripts from the groups were independently analyzed by two reviewers for significant themes, which were then validated by two other members of...

PURPOSE Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent in children and diagnostic polysomnography is costly and not readily available in all areas. We developed a pediatric modification of a commonly used adult clinical prediction tool for stratifying the risk of OSA and the need for polysomnography. METHODS A total of 312 children (age 9-17 years) from phase 2 of the Tucson Children's Assessment...

We analyze the determinants of adolescent motherhood and its effect on high school attendance and completion in a developing country setting. Using eight repeated rounds of Chilean household surveys that span the 1990 – 2006 period, we analyze the role of individual, family and community characteristics in determining teen motherhood. Our regression results reveal that adolescents who were born...

This paper evaluates the evidence regarding teens’ sexual activity and birth control use with an emphasis on the contribution of economic analysis. Researchers in other disciplines often view teen sexual activity as spontaneous and irrational, so that teen pregnancies are considered “mistakes.” Economists’ focus on the costs and benefits of alternative actions leads them to view sexual activity...

The primary purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical design on teen influence and its predictors in the context of family decision making. Structure equation modeling (SEM) is employed to test the proposed conceptual model on teen influence and its predictors. The SEM approach also provides for the construct validity of the key measures. Results indicate that teenage children in urban I...

OBJECTIVE This study evaluates a parent-teen skills-based therapy for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) blended with motivational interviewing (MI) to enhance family engagement. Supporting Teens' Autonomy Daily (STAND) is an adolescent-specific treatment for ADHD that targets empirically identified adolescent (i.e., organization, time management, and planning, or OTP skills) and p...

Poor compliance and high discontinuation rates of Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) and other contraceptive methods are major factors in the continuing problem of adolescent pregnancy. In this study we attempted to determine if providing comprehensive health care for teen mothers and their babies would improve continuation rates of DMPA. Patients who started DMPA between 1/1/96 and 1/1/9...

In the USA, as many as 1 in 6 women nationwide become adolescent mothers, making adolescent pregnancy and childbearing issues a frequently encountered occurrence by pediatricians and adolescent medicine health care providers. Both social and medical programs focus on prevention and management of adolescent pregnancies; however, caring for the adolescent-headed family is less well understood. Fo...

Adolescent parenthood is associated with a range of adverse outcomes for young mothers, including mental health problems such as depression, substance abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Teen mothers are also more likely to be impoverished and reside in communities and families that are socially and economically disadvantaged. These circumstances can adversely affect maternal mental healt...

Children born to teen mothers may experience less responsive and supportive parenting and are at heightened risk for a range of social, developmental, and health issues. There is literature to support the positive impact of grandmothers on teen parents and their children. However, what if the teen's mother is also limited in her parenting capacities? How do parenting capacities across these two...