Meeting the psychosocial needs of teen-age mothers and fathers.

The long-term and short-term effects of adolescent pregnancy and parenthood are increasingly significant to all elements of society. The physical, emotional, social, educational, and economic outcomes affect not only the young parents and their children, but also impact on local communities and the nation as a whole. The broad social issues must be addressed through the combined efforts of many groups. The contribution of nursing can be enhanced by the application of a sound theory base and the incorporation of current research findings into individual practice settings.