A follow-up case study on teenage pregnancy: "havin' a baby isn't a nightmare, but it's really hard".
Two adolescent mothers who participated in a previously published study on teenage pregnancy agreed to participate in follow-up interviews in their homes about 1 1/2 years after giving birth. A naturalistic, qualitative case study approach was used to examine the participants' views and perceptions related to adolescent pregnancy and childbearing. Both mothers reported general satisfaction with their lives as young mothers, but indicated that their attitudes about early maternity changed once they experienced the day-to-day realities of motherhood. Overall, the participants adequately managed single motherhood with support from family. Regrets and hopes for a better future, mended and broken relationships, and thinking about and avoiding or engaging in fighting behavior were themes that emerged from the data. In addition, some of the findings of this case study were compared and contrasted with the initial study (Spear, 2001), and implications for practice and research are discussed.
Spear
Hila J
HJ
Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, USA.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D015406:Single Parent / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D015144:Southeastern United States; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires