ABSTRACT
Background: Pregnant adolescents have a higher risk of complications of pregnancy and labor. There is also a higher risk of child abuse and neglect among this age group. Aim: To study the psychological and social context, biographical impact and the prevalence of mental disorders among pregnant teenagers. Subjects and methods: A semi structured clinical interview was applied to 60 pregnant or puerperal adolescents, aged 12 to 18 years old, assisting to maternal outpatient clinics in the Western District of Santiago. Results: An 18 percent prevalence of mental disorders was found in these girls. Five percent had emotional problems as a reaction to the pregnancy. The most important psychological and social factors associated to pregnancy were a low educational level, economic dependence and a precocious and unprotected sexual life. Fifty seven percent of pregnancies were accidental, due to inadequate use for contraceptive methods or unforessen sexual intercourse in the context of an informal or unstable couple. Those girls that planned becoming pregnant had better quality couples, higher maternal responsibility and a better biographical repercussion of their pregnancies. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of psychological and social disorders among pregnant adolescents