Publication Date

1988

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Cassidy, Virginia R.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Nursing

LCSH

Self-perception; Values; Teenage pregnancy--Psychological aspects; Adolescent psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in self-esteem, locus of control, and values, between pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents in a midwestern community. Concepts from Erickson and Kohlberg were utilized as the framework for this ex post facto study. Twenty-five randomly selected non-pregnant adolescents were matched on race and age group to 25 pregnant adolescents. Subjects completed a demographic sheet, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, Nowicki and Strickland's Locus of Control Scale for Children, and Traub and Dodder's Value Scale, Established Normative Pattern Scale and Emergent Normative Pattern Scale. Two-way ANOVAs were calculated on each of the five variables studied, utilizing age group and pregnancy status as predictors. No significant differences for main effects or interactions were found. The following conclusions are based upon the results of this study. Differences between the pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents in this study cannot be explained solely by personality characteristics such as self-perceptions and values. Due to the small sample size, caution should be used when generalizing beyond the group studied. It is recommended that further research in this area include replicating this study with a larger sample size; including socioeconomic status as a matched characteristic; and implementating a longitudinal sutdy of 13-year-old non-pregnant adolescents.

Comments

Bibliography: pages [61]-68.

Extent

v, 99 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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