Depression, self-esteem, loneliness, and social support among adolescent mothers participating in the new parents

D B Hudson1, S M Elek, C Campbell-Grossman

  • 1University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing, Lincoln 68588, USA.

Adolescence
|December 29, 2000
PubMed

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine levels of depression, self-esteem, loneliness, and social support, and the relationships between these variables, among adolescent mothers participating in the New Parents Project (formerly called the Young Parents Project). The sample consisted of 21 adolescent mothers recruited from three primary health care practices in different Midwestern cities. It was found that depression scores were in the high range (CES-DC > 15) for 53% of the participants. Strong, significant relationships were found, except between depression and self-esteem. The implications for enhancement of the New Parents Project, so as to better meet the psychological needs of adolescent mothers, are discussed.

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