Relation between Self-Esteem, Sexual Activity, and Pregnancy - Essay Example

Article review: The relation between self-esteem, sexual activity, and pregnancy al affiliation Article review: The relation between self-esteem, sexual activity, and pregnancy Brief summary of the study The article “The relation between self-esteem, sexual activity, and pregnancy” is based on a research by Robinson & Frank (1994) which is basically and examination of self-esteem levels contribute towards sexual activity and the resultant increase in pregnancies among teenagers. Robinson & Frank (1994) hypothesize that teenage males who are active sexually usually have higher self-esteem levels over those males who are non-active sexually. Secondly, the research also theorizes that sexually active teenage females report lower self-esteem levels than non-active females. The third hypothesis holds that pregnant teenagers have higher self-esteem than those who are not pregnant. Finally, Robinson & Frank (1994) theorize that higher self-esteem levels are reported among male teenagers that have fathered children as compared to those who have not fathered any children. Analysis of the literature review used in this research The literature review section of this research is not biased as it covers both the literature that supports the hypotheses and other literature that is against the hypotheses. For example, Robinson & Frank (1994) are of the opinion that current measures being used to fight teenage pregnancies are not effective. In fact, a study by Hepfer (1998) is cited as having proved that interventions such as sex education are not effective in reducing teenage pregnancy, thus the need for programs focusing on teenage self-esteem. The hypothesis that sexually active teenage males and those who have fathered a child have more self-esteem than non-sexually males and those who have no fathered children is also supported by literature. According to Robinson & Frank (1994) research by Friedman & Castiglia (1990) shows that males tend to assert their masculinity by being sexually active and fathering children. However, a research by Dilorio & Riley (1998) found no relation between low self-esteem, loneliness, and pregnancy. To support this finding further, Robinson & Frank also cite Meyer (1991) who found no relationship between self esteem, fathering of children and sexual activity among teenage males. The ethical considerations for data collection process The study sampled 287 participants drawn from two high schools that were university-affiliated and sixteen teenagers who were pregnant. The records were sourced from the office of the local obstetrician. The research used the qualitative method of data collection whereby a personality test, the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, comprising of 25 items was used as the main data gathering device. The test was in form of questionnaires which required the participants to categorize themselves according to their personality traits, in which a score of 25 represents the topmost level of self-esteem and zero as the lowest self-esteem level. The research made ethical considerations when engaging the participants in the study. For instance, Robinson & Frank (1994) write that only willing students participated in the study by filling in the questionnaires in class, while those not willing to participate continued with their personal projects. In addition, parents of the participating students had to give their consent before the students participated in the study. The sample from the obstetrician’s office also had parental consent before participating in the study. All the participants were assured of their anonymity in the compilation of the results of survey. Statistical analysis and significance of the data collected The collected data was analyzed in such a way that subject-to-subject disparity was considered, meaning that each questionnaire contributed to the statistics. Considering that the standard error was measured in relation to gender and race, the analysis of data was not very specific to individual traits meaning that some personal traits may have been overlooked. The research used the general linear model in the statistical analysis of data, specifically using the linear regression model and conducting ANOVA tests. The T-test was also used to test the dependent and independent variables. The advantage in using ANOVA is that it allowed the researchers to only focus on the differences in outcomes for the groups surveyed. Accordingly, the researchers were able to statistically analyze the data from the survey and weigh it against the study hypotheses. For example, among the male participants, 41 percent reported to have been sexually active within the previous six months and reported a marginally high self-esteem level of 18.3415. This statistic was compared to 81 males who had not engaged in sex in the previous six months and who reported an average self-esteem level of 17.6790. Statistical implications of the results of the study The feedback from the questionnaires provided enough data to assess the significance of the findings. According to Robinson & Frank (1994), the mean level of self-esteem was 17.776, meaning that most teenagers have a relatively high level of self-concept. The results exhibited no significant difference between sexually and non-sexually active teenagers in terms of self-esteem. The research found that contrary to the fourth hypothesis that males who have children have higher self-esteem as opposed to those who have not; teenage fathers actually reported lower self-esteem levels. However, considering that only four teenage males had fathered a child, against 104 who had not fathered a child, the findings do not hold much statistical significance as a result of the glaring statistical difference. Relating the conclusions to the results of the study Robinson & Frank (1994) appropriately draw their conclusions about the relationship between teenage self-esteem, pregnancy and sexual activities from the results of the study. For example, the study concludes that the high self-esteem levels reported among the participants are as a result of the participants being drawn from high schools that are affiliated to universities. These schools according to Robinson & Frank (1994) have programs that ensure that teachers and parents are actively involved in the academic and personal lives of students, thus resulting in high self-esteem among the teenagers. In addition, the study concludes that the lack of considerable disparities in the self-esteem levels of teenagers who are sexually active and those who are not; and pregnant females versus non-pregnant females can be attributed to societal values. Societal values in this case teach teenagers, especially females, not to depend on sexual activity to determine their self-worth, but rather to focus on other experiences and achievements. As for the finding that teenage males with children reported lower self-esteem levels, Robinson & Frank (1994) attribute it to the fact that most males feel that fatherhood negatively impacts on their future as they may be unable to, for example, pursue advanced education. The validity of conclusions in answering the research questions in the definition of the problem The conclusions of this study do not adequately answer the research questions. In essence, the research sought to determine whether self-esteem is in any way related to sexual activity and resultant pregnancies in teenagers. As Robinson & Frank (1994) write, the study did not identify any single variable that could be used to predict the self-esteem of teenagers. Basically, such a conclusion means that the research has done little determine whether self-esteem is in any way related to teenage sexual activity. In general, therefore, the conclusions only partially answer the research questions and leave the reader unsure as to level in which self-esteem affects teenage sexuality. The appropriateness of the conclusions to the entire study In terms of the appropriateness of the conclusions, Robinson & Frank (1994) have tried to tie the research questions, the hypotheses, and the result of the study to the conclusions. Essentially, while studying the research, the reader is able to connect how the authors arrive to the conclusion that parental and teacher support usually contributes to higher self-esteem levels among teenagers. However, some conclusions in the research are not supported by any aforementioned factors. For example, the conclusion that teenage fathers have low self-esteem because they consider fatherhood a hindrance to their long-term goals seems like an opinion considering that no literature or research is cited as having led to such a conclusion. Since the data collection section does not give information concerning the questions that were asked in the questionnaires, it is difficult to understand how the researchers came to the conclusion that societal values influenced high self-esteem among females regardless of their levels of sexual activity. In relation to the conclusion that pregnant teenagers recorded high self-esteem levels because they were in their third trimester and had, therefore, had time to get used to the pregnancy is also not supported by any other literature and is not among the research questions. The adequacy of the information provided in determining the effectiveness of the study In terms of contribution to the research process and contribution to theory, the study does very little to add onto existing knowledge. Robinson & Frank (1994) do not give much detail about the different aspects that were used to gauge the level of self-esteem among the participants. It would have benefited the reader more if the authors attached posted a sample of the questionnaire such that the reader could have a closer analysis of the 25 items and determine how they relate to self-esteem. The absence of such information hinders the ability to determine whether the study was effective in assessing the relationship linking, sexual activity teenage pregnancies and self-esteem. Reference Robinson, R., &Frank, D. (1994).The Relation between Self-Esteem, Sexual Activity, and Pregnancy. Adolescence, 29(113): 27. Read More