Kohl, Noreen2017-12-182017-12-182016-05http://hdl.handle.net/10125/51289M.A. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2016.Includes bibliographical references.Research has established that parenthood at a young age is associated with higher levels of psychological distress later in life. Less is known about the long-term mental health impact of early pregnancy and the potential intervening mechanisms that may help to explain why early pregnancy is distressing. In addition, though rates of early pregnancy remain higher among African Americans compared to Whites, research has yet to explore potential race differences in mental health consequences. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study not only shows that early pregnancy has a long-term negative effect on mental health among Whites but also reveals that unfulfilled educational expectations help explain this negative effect. The study also finds differences in the distressing effect of early pregnancy among African American and White females.engpregnancymental healtheducational expectationslife courseThesis