Hopefulness, self-esteem, and perceived social support among pregnant and nonpregnant adolescents

Abstract

The concepts of hope, self-esteem, and social support have been identified as important factors in understanding a wide range of adolescent behaviors. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship of perceived hopefulness, self-esteem, and social support with pregnancy status. Employing a cross-sectional design, a sample of pregnant (n = 58) and nonpregnant (n = 91) adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 completed the Hopefulness Scale for Adolescents (HSA), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (NSSQ). Multiple regression analyses were used to assess the association of pregnancy status with hopefulness, self-esteem, and social support while controlling for age and socioeconomic status (SES). The effects of pregnancy status on each psychosocial variable were examined independently. Findings revealed pregnancy status was not associated with hopefulness, self-esteem, or perceived social support when age and SES were controlled.

PIP: This is an exploratory study that examines the relationship between perceived hopefulness, self-esteem, and social support and pregnancy status among adolescents. A cross-sectional design was used with a total sample of 149 female adolescents ranging in age from 14 to 18 years, of which 58 (38%) reported being pregnant and 91 (61%) reported being not pregnant. Participants completed three measurement scales, namely: 1) the Hopefulness Scale for Adolescents (HSA), a 24-item scale designed to measure the degree of positive future orientation an adolescent presently feels; 2) the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), which measures a person's general sense of self-worth and self-acceptance; and 3) the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire, which measures perceived social support. Data analysis included the creation of a dummy variable for pregnancy status (0 = not pregnant, 1 = pregnant), while socioeconomic status (SES) and age were identified as the control variables. Multiple regression analysis results illustrated that pregnancy status was not associated with hopefulness, self-esteem, or perceived social support when age and SES were controlled. The effects of each psychosocial variable on pregnancy status were discussed independently. Researchers suggest that further studies should be conducted using a more diverse sample in order to provide answers to the important questions raised by their findings.