Social acceptance; a possible mediator in the association between socio-economic deprivation and under-18 pregnancy rates?

This study examines the social acceptance of young (under-18) pregnancy by assessing people's acceptance of young pregnancy and abortion in relation to deprivation. A cross-sectional survey design was conducted in two relatively affluent and two relatively deprived local authorities in London (n=570). Contrary to previous findings, participants were significantly more accepting of young pregnancy in the more affluent areas and if they were young parents. When controlling for other personal characteristics, only age remained significantly related to acceptance, and there was evidence of an interaction between level of area deprivation and age. The work supported previous findings, with people in more affluent areas being the most accepting of abortion. Age and ethnicity were significantly associated with acceptance of abortion after adjusting for level of area deprivation. An interaction effect between ethnicity and area deprivation was found. The importance of the psychosocial processes behind acceptance of young pregnancy was highlighted. Area deprivation does not have a uniform influence over people who vary in their personal characteristics. Young pregnancy prevention programmes and support groups for young parents must address the influence of social deprivation, age and ethnicity and how this affects the fabric of young people's lives.