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Self-esteem of pregnant substance abusers
P G Higgins1, D H Clough, C Wallerstedt
1College of Nursing, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerqe, NM, USA.
Maternal-Child Nursing Journal
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Pregnant women abusing substances often exhibit low self-esteem, impacting their well-being. Developing interventions to boost self-esteem is crucial for this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Obstetrics
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Substance abuse during pregnancy poses significant risks to both mother and child.
- Self-esteem is a critical psychological factor influencing health behaviors and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the self-esteem levels and patterns among pregnant women with substance use disorders.
- To identify specific characteristics of self-esteem in this population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, descriptive study involving 31 pregnant women dependent on multiple substances.
- Data collection included an open-ended question about self-esteem and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory (RSI).
Main Results:
- A majority of participants described their self-esteem using single words, with 'low' being the most frequent RSI response.
- While some used positive terms, negative and neutral self-perceptions were also reported, confirming low self-esteem.
- The RSI results corroborated the qualitative data, indicating pervasive low self-esteem.
Conclusions:
- Low self-esteem is a significant issue among pregnant women with substance use disorders.
- Targeted interventions are necessary to enhance self-esteem and support recovery in this population.