Population Institute

ABSTRACT

This study examined various dimensions of family processes and their association with adolescent pregnancy using data from 2,330 female respondents aged 20–24 from the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study. Nearly one-fourth (23%) of women had experienced an adolescent pregnancy. Results from binary logistic regression showed that women from poor households had significantly higher odds of adolescent pregnancy. Maternal and sibling histories of adolescent pregnancy were also associated with a greater likelihood of adolescent pregnancy, while paternal history of adolescent parenthood was not statistically significant. Among the family process factors, being raised by both parents was associated with 52% lower odds of adolescent pregnancy, while discussing sex-related matters within the family was associated with 46% lower odds. Greater family cohesion was also protective, with each one-unit increase in the family cohesion score associated with a 16% reduction in the odds of adolescent pregnancy. In contrast, perceived approval of early romantic relationships was associated with 54% higher odds of adolescent pregnancy. Overall, the findings suggest that adolescent pregnancy among Filipino youth is shaped not only by socioeconomic disadvantage but also by family relationships and communication, parental supervision and norms, and familial experiences of early childbearing. The study highlights the importance of strengthening family-centered interventions alongside broader reproductive health and poverty reduction programs in the Philippines.

Keywords: Adolescent pregnancy, Family processes, Sociodemographic characteristics, Filipino youth, SDG 3