[Compare stress and social support between adolescent and adult pregnant women during third trimester].

With the change of society, adolescent pregnancy is the issue for the professionals to face and be concerned about. The results of the study can be utilized to improve the prenatal care for adolescents. A total of 90 adolescents and 90 adults during third trimester were recruited to participate in this study. Three methods were used to collect data: the Demographic Data Form, the Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale, and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. Primiparas showed a significantly higher score on stress from seeking safe passage for herself and her child through pregnancy, labor and delivering than multiparas. Adult pregnant women had a higher score on social support than did pregnant adolescents. Results of the stepwise multiple regression indicated that the best subset to predict stress from identifying maternal role was social support and education. The best subset to predict stress from seeking safe passage for herself and her child through pregnancy, labor and delivery was parity and education, the best predictor of stress from altering body structure and body function was education.