Teenage pregnancy : the lived experienced of nursing students.

Date of Completion

2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Keywords

Pregnancy in Adolescence, Psychology

Abstract

Primarily, this study sought to describe the experience of being pregnant at an early age. This purpose was achieved through a qualitative stdy, which used the phenomenological approach that resulted in phenomenological descriptions of themes regarding early pregnancy. Eight informants were interviewed regarding their personal experiences of being a teenage mother. Information was obatined from these teenage mothers of different orientations regarding their experiences. These informants were chosen using a purposive or judgemental type of sampling. Based on the extensive description, the experiences of teenage mothers were grouped into themes. The researchers came up with several findings. Teenage mothers' initial personal response upon knowing that they were pregnant were fear and confusion. Fears were often associated with feeling of rejection from peers and in-laws, parent's anger and the consequences of what they have done. Confusion focused on the respondents' difficulty in deciding whether to continue the pregnancy or their studies. Basically, financial problems and social stigmas added to their fear and confusion. Teenage mothers have encountered difficulties within the period of the pregnancy. These difficulties were subdivided into three. These were (1) Physical complaints as hindrance to school performance, (2) Feelings of guilt and shame and (3) social ridicules. Initial actions done upon knowing that they were pregnant were: (1) Conveying their condition to their boyfriend, (2) Sharing or verbalizing their situation with the friend (3) Keeping the condition in secrecy. After the initial actions were accomplished the respondents came up with decisions which they thought were the final solution to the difficulty situation where they were in. These includes (a) informing parents of their pregnancy (b) getting married and (c) continuing the pregnancy regardless of the parents' and boyfriends' decisions. After overcoming the difficulties encountered, the respondents were fianlyy able to accept their situation through the assistance of the significant others and peers. Pregnancy especially during the teenage years is a difficult experience. The teenage mothers were completely unprepared for responsibilities of pregnancy and future parenthood that creates undue demand and pressures on them. Without the assistance of significant others, it would be very difficult for them to cope up with the situation. Even if teenage pregnancy is rampant, abortion is not a resort to solve the consequences of the situation. Because of the strong value system Filipino families' possess. While it is true that teenage pregnancy is a situation that puts an individual in a chaotic situation, she may come out as a more mature and responsible person from the experience.

Comments

Call Number: TH NM 01 31

Location: Research Commons

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