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Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.128.6.755

The authors report a study of 15 pregnant teen-age girls aimed at describing their characteristics, identifying the forces contributing to the pregnancy, and delineating the girls' special treatment needs. Among the most consistent findings were chaotic early life experiences, leading to poor structuralization of the ego, and superego deficits. Helping the girls develop ego functions, encouraging appropriate aspirations, and providing assistance in achieving goals seemed to be the most appropriate areas for psychiatric intervention.

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