This review examines some of the key issues related to measuring social support and identifies 28 instruments which have been used in research with pregnant adolescents. The major external and internal variables that affect social support for pregnant adolescents are defined. Relevant questions are offered to guide the researcher in the choice of a social support instrument, and the 28 social support instruments are described by author, availability, length and item type, psychometric properties, and selected references and notes. Although not an exhaustive list, these 28 instruments are representative of the broad spectrum of measurement tools available which were chosen because they have been used in a variety of social support research endeavors.
PIP: Social support is widely regarded as a significant determinant of the outcome of adolescent pregnancy in the US. In general, adolescent mothers with adequate, positive family and peer support are more likely to complete school, enter the labor market, have good self-esteem, and have healthy children. There is no concise and universally accepted definition of social support, however. In addition, the frequency of social support does not necessarily relate to the significance or quality of the interaction. The US research literature contains 28 social support instruments, 19 of which assess some degree of external social support variables for the pregnant adolescent (e.g., perceived quality of relationships, number of life stressors, degree of satisfaction with social supports). The internal variable instruments evaluate depression, personal attitudes, introspection, psychological distress, self-image, loneliness, and anxiety. This paper summarizes, in tabular form, each of these scales (authors, availability, length and item type, psychometric properties, and selected references and notes). Ideal would be a combination of qualitative and quantitative procedures to yield maximally comprehensive social support data. The instrument review suggests a need for additional research in the areas of longitudinal parental attachment, the effectiveness of supportive interventions as a buffering variable for stressful life events, and the relationship of social support and mental health.