Abstract

The role of formal operational thinking in adolescent decision-making about pregnancy and contraception is explored through an integration of the cognitive-developmental and pregnancy-contraception literatures. The ways in which cognitive-developmental change mechanisms initiate or hinder formal thinking on pregnancy-contraception are considered, and implications for counseling pregnant adolescents are discussed.

PIP:

This symposium paper in its review of the literature on cognitive development and pregnancy and contraception suggests that teenagers have difficulty in envisioning alternatives and evaluating alternatives (if, thens). Adolescents engage in confused or inappropriate perspective-taking (for example, seeing intercourse without contraception as an act of love) and egocentrism (having a baby in order to get married and leave home). There is flawed reasoning about chance and probability (it won't happen to me syndrome). The author suggests that helping teenagers discuss and think out pregnancy and contraception by using formal operation reasoning as defined by Piaget may assist in generating more effective decisions. Real life crises make it difficult for teenagers to sort out appropriate options, and some will avoid helpful role models, or over-accommodate and rely perhaps solely on their peers. Tasks involving perspective-taking (role-playing, babysitting) may encourage better thinking about parenthood. Promoting developmental techniques (problem-solving, exploration, assimilation, and accommodation) may provide opportunities to consider the balance between self and other needs and societal concerns. Adaptive decision-making may stimulate teenagers own thinking about sexual issues, since providing information alone has not been effective in altering behavior. Counselors may encourage role models such as teen mothers, those who've aborted pregnancy, and adoption spokesmen, so that the range of options is clear. Counseling does not have to be confined to providing emotional support but can involve cognitive growth.