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Self-Concept differences between single and married school-age mothers
1Department of Home and Family Life, Florida State University, USA.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|December 10, 2013
Summary
Single school-age mothers exhibit significantly lower self-concepts and more emotional problems than married mothers. This study highlights critical differences in self-perception and coping behaviors between these groups.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- School-age mothers face unique challenges impacting self-perception.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for targeted support programs.
- Previous research has not fully explored self-concept disparities in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare self-perceptions between single and married school-age mothers.
- To identify specific psychological and behavioral differences.
- To inform interventions for adolescent mothers.
Main Methods:
- Administered the Tennessee Self Concept Scale to 84 single and married adolescent mothers in a school-age parent program.
- Utilized stepwise discriminant analysis to identify distinguishing variables between groups.
- Analyzed 26 variables to assess self-perception and emotional well-being.
Main Results:
- Single school-age mothers reported extremely low self-concepts, significant emotional problems, and maladaptive coping behaviors.
- Significant differences were found in 11 of 26 variables between single and married groups.
- Single mothers perceived themselves as undesirable and unworthy, with negative views on behavior, physical self, and social relationships.
Conclusions:
- Single school-age mothers demonstrate markedly poorer self-perceptions and greater psychological distress compared to their married peers.
- Married mothers, while having generally low self-concepts, reported more positive family relationship perceptions.
- Findings underscore the need for tailored psychological support for single adolescent mothers.
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