Executive Functions and Emotional Intelligence in Pregnant Adolescents

Emotional Intelligence and Executive Functions in Pregnant Adolescents Living in Rural Areas: a Study of a Psychological Intervention

Teenage pregnancy is a major global public health issue and is associated with a range of psychosocial, emotional, and developmental challenges. Adolescence is a critical stage of development characterized by the ongoing maturation of executive functions, including inhibitory control, emotional regulation, working memory, planning, and decision-making. These cognitive and emotional processes are essential for adaptive functioning and psychological well-being. However, when pregnancy occurs during adolescence, young women may face additional stressors, such as social stigma, limited social support, disruption of education, and economic vulnerability, which can negatively affect their mental health and coping abilities.

Previous research has shown that pregnant adolescents may experience higher levels of emotional distress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms compared to pregnant adult women. Furthermore, difficulties in executive functions and emotional regulation may influence adolescents' ability to manage stress, regulate their emotions, and make adaptive decisions during pregnancy and the transition to motherhood. Therefore, interventions that strengthen emotional and cognitive self-regulation may play an important role in improving the psychological adjustment and well-being of pregnant adolescents.

The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention designed to improve emotional intelligence and executive functions in pregnant adolescents. The program seeks to promote greater emotional understanding and self-regulation, as well as to support adolescents in coping with the psychological challenges associated with pregnancy.

Participants will complete standardized psychological assessments before and after the intervention to evaluate potential changes in executive functioning and emotional well-being.

By assessing the impact of an intervention on emotional intelligence and executive functions, this study seeks to contribute to the development of evidence-based strategies to improve the mental health and psychosocial outcomes of pregnant adolescents. The results may provide valuable information for healthcare professionals, psychologists, and public health programs seeking to support adolescent mothers and promote healthier developmental trajectories during pregnancy and early motherhood.

Adolescent pregnancy remains a significant public health concern worldwide and is associated with a variety of social, emotional, and psychological challenges. During adolescence, individuals experience important developmental changes involving cognitive, emotional, and social processes. In particular, adolescence is characterized by the progressive development of executive functions and emotional regulation abilities, which play a critical role in decision-making, behavioral control, and adaptive functioning.

Executive functions refer to a set of higher-order cognitive processes that support goal-directed behavior and the ability to regulate thoughts, emotions, and actions. These processes include inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning, organization, and self-monitoring. The development of these cognitive abilities is closely associated with the maturation of the prefrontal cortex, which continues to develop throughout adolescence and early adulthood.

When pregnancy occurs during adolescence, young individuals may face additional psychosocial stressors that can affect their emotional well-being and psychological adjustment. Pregnant adolescents often encounter challenges such as social stigma, educational disruption, economic difficulties, and changes in interpersonal relationships. These stressors may increase vulnerability to emotional distress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

Previous research has shown that adolescent mothers may present higher levels of emotional vulnerability compared to adult pregnant women. Emotional difficulties during pregnancy may negatively influence maternal well-being, interpersonal relationships, and adaptation to motherhood. Therefore, identifying psychological factors that may support better emotional adjustment during adolescent pregnancy is an important area of research.

Emotional intelligence and emotional regulation have been identified as protective factors that can contribute to improved psychological adaptation during stressful life events. Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own and others' emotions. Adolescents with greater emotional regulation skills may be better able to cope with stress, manage interpersonal conflicts, and make adaptive decisions in difficult situations.

In addition to emotional regulation, executive functioning plays a key role in self-regulation of behavior and decision-making processes. Difficulties in executive functioning can affect adolescents' ability to plan, control impulses, anticipate consequences, and regulate emotional responses. These cognitive processes are especially relevant in the context of adolescent pregnancy, where individuals must adapt to major life changes and new responsibilities.

Psychoeducational interventions designed to strengthen emotional intelligence and executive functioning have shown promising results in improving adolescents' psychological well-being. These interventions typically focus on developing emotional awareness, teaching emotional regulation strategies, strengthening problem-solving skills, and promoting adaptive coping strategies.

The present study aims to design, implement, and evaluate the effect of a psychological intervention program on executive functioning and emotional intelligence in pregnant adolescents aged 14 to 18 years residing in the Mexicali Valley. The intervention will consist of a structured program delivered through group sessions that focus on emotional awareness, emotional regulation strategies, stress management, decision-making skills, and problem-solving skills related to pregnancy and early motherhood.

The program will include activities such as guided discussions, emotional reflection exercises, skill-building activities, and group interactions that encourage participants to share experiences and develop supportive relationships. The program aims to provide adolescents with practical tools to better understand their emotions, regulate their emotional responses, and manage the challenges associated with pregnancy and the transition to motherhood.

To evaluate the results of the intervention, participants will complete standardized psychological assessments before the intervention (baseline) and after completing the program. These assessments will allow researchers to evaluate possible changes in executive functioning, emotional regulation, emotional intelligence, and depressive symptoms.

To obtain a comprehensive assessment of the psychological variables included in this study, participants will complete a series of standardized psychological instruments. Executive functioning will be assessed using two complementary measures. The Battery of Executive Functions and Frontal Lobes - Third Edition (BANFE-3) will be used to assess executive processes associated with frontal lobe functioning, including planning, inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. In addition, the self-report version of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2) will assess behavioral manifestations of executive functioning in everyday contexts, including aspects such as inhibition, emotional regulation, and cognitive organization.

Emotional intelligence will be assessed using the BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version (EQ-i:YV), which measures emotional and social competencies in adolescents, including intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, adaptability, stress management, and overall mood. Psychosocial risk indicators that commonly occur during adolescence will be explored using the Adolescent Self-Descriptive Inventory (ASDI), which identifies behavioral, emotional, and social factors associated with psychosocial vulnerability.

In addition, mental health status will be assessed using standardized measures of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Anxiety will be assessed using the Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale, Second Edition (CMAS-R-2), which assesses different manifestations of anxiety in children and adolescents. Depressive symptoms associated with the perinatal period will be assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a widely used instrument designed to identify depressive symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be in the first or second trimester of pregnancy at the time of the procedure.
• Be between the ages of 14 and 18.
• Have a basic level of literacy (be able to read and write).
• Receive prenatal medical care.
• Sign the informed consent form, both the patient and an adult family member.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serious medical conditions that limit your participation and/or continued participation in the study.
• Neurological or psychiatric conditions (other than mild to moderate depression and anxiety) that have an impact on executive functioning and emotional intelligence on their own.
• No interest or availability to participate in the entire program.