Journal
CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW
Volume 51, Issue -, Pages 44-54Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.02.002
Keywords
Teenage pregnancy; Teenage motherhood; Child maltreatment; Foster care; Interpretative phenomenological analysis; Qualitative
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Funding
- University of Maryland School of Social Work
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The present study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the experiences and meaning of motherhood among teen mothers in foster care. Through a series of 18 in-depth, semi-structured interviews exploring experiences of both being mothered and mothering, the six young women in this study shared their stories of living the reality of becoming mothers under extremely challenging circumstances and doing their best to thrive. Themes of darkness and despair, (e.g., substance abuse, poverty, and child maltreatment) glimpses of light in the darkness (e.g., relationships with their partner's family), and new beginnings (e.g., identity as mother) emerged as characteristic of their experience. Implications for practice, policy, and research in the areas of teen pregnancy prevention and support for family strengthening are offered. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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