This study examined qualitative research on adolescent pregnancy to determine designs and methods used and to discover emergent themes across studies. Most of the 22 studies reviewed were described as qualitative or phenomenological by design and included samples comprising either African-American and Caucasian participants or African-Americans exclusively. Based on analysis of the collective primary findings of the sample articles, four themes were identified: (a) factors influencing pregnancy; (a) pregnancy resolution; (c) meaning of pregnancy and life transitions; and (d) parenting and motherhood. Overall, the studies revealed that most adolescent females perceive pregnancy as a rite of passage and a challenging yet positive life event. More qualitative studies are needed involving participants from various ethnic backgrounds, on males' perceptions relative to adolescent pregnancy and fatherhood, and about decision-making relevant to pregnancy resolution, intimacy, and peer relationships.
See Full PDF See Full PDFTeenage pregnancy is a global problem. It confronted all levels of societal status from low, middle to high-income nations. The current paper provides an exploration of the mothers that come across the stage of teenage pregnancy. This provides narratives of the causes, challenges encountered, and their regrets by mothers that come across teenage pregnancy. A qualitative method of research was used in this study. The narrative - case study design was utilized in this methodology. It includes 10 participants and data were gathered through the use of a semi-structured interview schedule. The following were the study's significant findings: The majority of the participants were at the age of 21 and got pregnant at the age of 16 – 19. Most of them were first-year college students when they got pregnant, unmarried, unemployed, and therefore dependent on their parent's income. Participants’ narratives revealed that they got pregnant at an early age because of the individual willing.
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The aim of the present study was to investigate the increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy. Specifically, the study sought to determine whether or not pregnant teenagers experience psychological distress during pregnancy, and to explore the nature of such distress. Thirty five (35) pregnant teenagers were conveniently sampled to participate in the study. Their ages ranged from 15 to 20 years, with the gestation period ranging from 4 to 9 months. Data was collected using triangulation of methods, namely quantitative and qualitative methods. For the quantitative data, a 15-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-15) which measures such factors as Socio-economic, Social, Ethnic and Religion. For qualitative data, five focus group interviews were conducted with the participants. The results suggested indications of psychological distress during the gestation period. These included experiences of symptoms associated with somatic complaints, anxiety and insomnia, social isolation and severe depression. Furthermore, the study showed themes of distress wherein teenagers react to the minimize on pregnancy with fear and disbelief, and thoughts of termination of pregnancy. Participants gave reports that pregnancy was seen as a stressful event for the teenagers involved. Coping strategies noted included teenagers ‟ resort to avoidance of situations were perceived to be stressful, and also associating with people they perceived as being more supportive. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made: a) Intervention programs should be put in place so as to help minimize the increasing number pregnant teenagers, and able to identify factors may contribute teenage mother; b) Social support structures should be made available to Pregnant teenagers; and c) Cultural practices should be incorporated in education syllabi that focus on human sexuality and reproduction.
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