A comparison of never-hospitalized and previously hospitalized adolescents: self-esteem and locus of control
Bolig, R.; Brown, R.T.; Kuo, J.H.
Adolescence 27(105): 227-234
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-8449 PMID: 1539498 Document Number: 391280
Few empirical studies have been conducted to determine the influence of hospitalization on adolescents' psychosocial processes because younger children are regarded as more vulnerable. Therefore, the purpose of this self-report, retrospective study of 115 adolescents was to compare the self-esteem and locus of control of the never hospitalized to that of adolescents hospitalized during adolescence, prior to adolescence, and during and prior to adolescence. Although no significant differences were found, the findings raise questions about long-term effects of early experiences, especially among lower socioeconomic status youth. Also, general measures of self-esteem and locus of control may be unable to determine situation-specific effects.