Acculturation, Perceived Social Support, and Self-Esteem in Primigravida Puerto Rican Teenagers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore acculturation, perceived social support, and self-esteem in 63 primigravida adolescents of Puerto Rican background living in the mainland United States. Although more teenagers of Puerto Rican background become pregnant than do those of all other Hispanic mainland groups, few studies have viewed pregnancy within this subculture. Mainland acculturation was not related to either perceived social support or self-esteem among the study sample. The study elucidates the importance of recognizing the dual cultural influence on mainland-dwelling adolescents of Puerto Rican background. The studyfindings suggest that exploration be continued beyond acculturation, as measured in this study, to understand the differences in adolescent pregnancy rates among the specific cultures of the Hispanic megaculture of the United States.