Peeking through the window of teenage motherhood : the lived experience of teenage mothers and their mothers

Abstract

The aim of this research was to explore the meaning teenage mothers and their mothers give to the experience of teenage motherhood. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted as a methodological approach for this study. A purposive homogeneous sample, consisting of four dyads of teenage mothers and their mothers, that is, eight participants, was selected. Data was gathered through audio-taped semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted on an individual basis. Data analysis yielded four main themes: (1) Threading into the Unknown; (2) Unfolding Motherhood: Living and Coping with Mothering Experiences; (3) Perception is in the Eye of the Beholder: Developed Perceptions, Attachment, and Relationships; (4) Envisaging the road ahead. These themes and their subthemes show that participants’ experiences are very time-dependent. Various emotional, psychological and social implications characterised each phase of these experiences. Within the fluctuating reality, both teenage mothers and their mothers developed a redefinition of the self and of the other. Internal strength was fundamental in taking significant decisions, along this process. Diverse perspectives were expressed with regards to external support. Other key findings concerned the maternal role as well as the dynamic patterns of the developed relationships within the new reality. Furthermore, this study highlighted the centrality of the good mothering concept and the cultural dimension as a fundamental attribute for a more holistic understanding of the phenomenon under study. All findings yielded significant implications for the counselling profession. Furthermore, this research pointed out the need of further training for counsellors and supervisors. This study concluded with a number of recommendations for further research.