Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of teenage mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically focusing on their attitudes, behaviors, and emotions throughout their pregnancies, using the transactional model of stress and coping (Lazarus and Folkman 1984) as a theoretical framework for interpretation.
Subject and Methods: Convenience sampling was utilized to recruit participants who were 18 or 19 during pregnancy and either pregnant or had given birth between March 2020 and March 2021. A qualitative approach was employed, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis on semi-structured interviews with two participants aged 20 from North East England.
Results: Four themes were developed: 1) Fear and worry about the pandemic and its impact on the pregnancy experience; 2) Attending antenatal appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic; 3) Loneliness and isolation; and 4) The role of age in pregnancy experiences during the pandemic. Teenage mothers expressed overwhelming fear of the virus, experienced distress attending appointments alone, and felt isolated from their support networks. Participants perceived their young age to influence their pregnancy experiences. Findings are interpreted using the transactional model of stress and coping.
Conclusion: The findings reveal the significant emotional toll the pandemic had on the pregnancy experiences of teenage mothers. Understanding their struggles can guide future research and inform tailored maternity care strategies during pandemics, ultimately supporting the well-being of young, pregnant mothers.
Subject and Methods: Convenience sampling was utilized to recruit participants who were 18 or 19 during pregnancy and either pregnant or had given birth between March 2020 and March 2021. A qualitative approach was employed, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis on semi-structured interviews with two participants aged 20 from North East England.
Results: Four themes were developed: 1) Fear and worry about the pandemic and its impact on the pregnancy experience; 2) Attending antenatal appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic; 3) Loneliness and isolation; and 4) The role of age in pregnancy experiences during the pandemic. Teenage mothers expressed overwhelming fear of the virus, experienced distress attending appointments alone, and felt isolated from their support networks. Participants perceived their young age to influence their pregnancy experiences. Findings are interpreted using the transactional model of stress and coping.
Conclusion: The findings reveal the significant emotional toll the pandemic had on the pregnancy experiences of teenage mothers. Understanding their struggles can guide future research and inform tailored maternity care strategies during pandemics, ultimately supporting the well-being of young, pregnant mothers.
| Original language | English |
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| Journal | Current Psychology |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 16 Aug 2024 |