Predictive model of quality of life among Thai pregnant teenagers

Abstract

Pregnancy among teenagers is a major public health problem worldwide. Traditionally, they have been considered a risk group, individuals having both physical health and psychological problems, with fewer social connections, low learning and educational achievement, and a poor quality of life. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to test a predictive model of quality of life among pregnant teens. This predictive model of quality of life included 449 Thai pregnant teenagers who received pre-natal care in four provincial hospitals and four community hospitals in northeast Thailand. Data were collected using the Social Support Measure, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Abuse Assessment Screen, the Center for epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Health Literacy Measure, and the Thai version of World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire. A structural equation model was used to analyze all factors' relationships in the model and how they affect to quality of life. Results indicated that the modified Model of Quality of Life among Thai Pregnant Teenagers fitted the data well and could explain 68% of variance of quality of life. In addition, social support, depression, and health literacy had a direct effect on quality of life. Meanwhile, social support had an indirect effect on quality of life, mediated through depression and health literacy of the pregnant teenager. Thus, nursing interventions should aim to reduce depression and to improve social support and health literacy for a better quality of life for these teenagers.