Thesis (M.Cur.) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / The purpose of this study was to explore effects of teenage motherhood on the secondary education of the female learner. A qualitative research method and a descriptive, exploratory research design were adopted to undertake the study. Five one-on-one interviews were conducted and the data was analysed by using Tesch’s method of analysis. Three themes and nine sub-themes were generated from the analysed data. The research findings indicate that teenage motherhood does not have a negative effect on the ability of the learner to continue attending school, but also suggest that the various challenges experienced by the learner do have adverse effects on her school performance and ultimate decision to suspend school. There were other factors that influenced her academic performance and decision to continue or suspend school attendance; namely family support, experiences at school, as well as the cultural beliefs, traditions, and perceptions of the society she was living in. Key concepts: Teenage motherhood, effects, secondary education.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 50-53).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Kent State University, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Jan. 12, 2007). Advisors: Marty Jencius, Steve Rainey. Keywords: African American adolescent females, Black girls, racial identity, skin color, self-concept, adolescence. Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-108).

Six serial focus groups were used to explore the perceptions of postpartum depression among nine adolescent mothers. The discussions were tape recorded, transcribed and analyzed using symbolic interaction theory, specifically Goffman's concept of stigma. Participants identified major stigma themes in relation to postpartum depression, teenage pregnancy and motherhood, all of which were portrayed negatively in the media. Several key causes of adolescent postpartum depression were also found including self esteem relating to poor body image and social support. The findings indicate a much needed change in the way adolescent mothers are identified and treated for postpartum depression. Additionally, the importance of social support in preventing and treating adolescent postpartum depression is highlighted and programs addressing such concerns must be implemented.

Adolescent mothers are a vulnerable population for a multitude of reasons. For one, adolescent mothers concurrently undergo two significant developmental phases and transitions: adolescence and parenting. Adolescence is the psychosocial period of adjustment marked by dramatic neural, hormonal, cognitive, psychological, physical, and biological changes. While adolescence is a time of cognitive advancement, it is also a time of stress, identity development, peer pressure, mood disruptions, and emotion regulation difficulties. While parenthood presents with positive changes, it simultaneously introduces challenges, such as increases in caretaking responsibilities, time commitment, and distress. Additionally, as statistics have shown, many adolescent mothers face a host of risk factors (e.g., poverty, low socioeconomic status (SES), and low educational attainment), making these “adolescent mothers at risk (AMARs)” a highly vulnerable population. Adolescence is also a time when substance use initiation and experimentation occur. While some level of substance use is normative among adolescents, substance use is especially detrimental for adolescent mothers and their children. According to the literature, substance-using mothers differ from their non-substance-using counterparts in terms of how the former parent their children. For example, substance-using mothers tend to display decreased levels of warmth (Barnow, Schuckit, Lucht, John, & Freyberger, 2002; Gruber and Taylor, 2006; Mayes & Truman, 2002; Suchman et al., 2007) as well as extreme styles of parenting (e.g., minimal supervision and intolerant attitudes) (Suchman & Luthar, 2000). This dissertation used archived data to examine AMARs and explore their levels of distress tolerance, substance use, and parenting attitudes and beliefs. Specifically, this dissertation sought to address the following questions: Is there an association between distress tolerance, substance use, and parenting attitudes and beliefs? Does substance use mediate the association between distress tolerance and parenting attitudes and beliefs? Seventy-two mothers living in nine Transitional Living Programs (TLPs) across a Northeast state were interviewed. Participants were aged 16-22 years with a mean age of 19. Participants were predominantly Latino and African American, and nearly half of the participants reported having a history of living in foster care or group home with an average of five years spent in these institutions. Data were collected from the baseline interview of a pilot randomized control trial examining an intervention for increasing positive parenting among homeless AMARs. Distress tolerance was operationalized via the Distress Tolerance Scale (Simons & Gaher, 2005), and parenting attitudes and beliefs were operationalized through the Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory-2 (Bavolek & Keene, 2010). Lifetime and recent frequency of substance use was also examined. Race/ethnicity was controlled for in all analyses because the past literature has documented racial/ethnic minority adolescent mothers experiencing more adversities and vulnerabilities compared to their White counterparts (Huang et al., 2014, 2019). Consistent with the literature, we found an association between distress tolerance and substance use, substance use and parenting attitudes and beliefs, as well as distress tolerance and parenting attitudes and beliefs. Specifically, there was an association between low distress tolerance and high levels of substance use; high levels of substance use and poor parenting attitudes and beliefs; and low distress tolerance and poor parenting attitudes and beliefs. In terms of the mediation analysis, only substance use within the past six months mediated the relationship between distress tolerance and parenting attitudes and beliefs. In other words, low distress tolerance led to higher levels of substance use within the past six months, which in turn led to poorer parenting attitudes and beliefs. One implication of the results is that recent substance use, rather than lifetime history, has a more salient effect on parenting attitudes and beliefs. Overall, the majority of the AMARs in the current study’s sample demonstrated resilience and had scores reflective of positive parenting attitudes and beliefs despite their notably low levels of distress tolerance. While the results of the study are promising, they should be interpreted with caution considering several limitations, including a small effect size from the mediation analysis and potential underreporting among AMARs. Future research should continue to explore various iterations of the research question (e.g., different combinations of distress tolerance, substance use, and parenting attitudes and beliefs as the independent, mediating, and outcome variables) and psychometric properties of the measures utilized.

Thesis (M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of learners on the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies in Mawa area, Mopani District in Limpopo Province. The study sought to investigate the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies and to find out from learners other ways that can help in reducing teenage pregnancy. Six learners from three secondary schools between the ages of 14 and 19 were sampled. Data was collected using in-depth interviews to allow the researcher a platform to ask open-response questions and to explore learners’ perceptions of the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies. The data was analysed thematically by carefully identifying and expanding significant themes that emerged from the participants’ perceptions of the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies for teenage pregnancy. The study revealed that socio-economic intervention strategies for teenage pregnancy are not effective in rural areas of Mawa, Mopani District in Limpopo Province and as such, there is a greater need for parenting education in the province. The study recommends that priority be given to employment as well as women empowerment in the province; and that religious organisations, community leaders and teachers should work together and harder to educate their children about sex and teenage pregnancy. The study further recommends that government should fund researchers to be placed in rural areas so that they can study the culture and socio dynamics (economic structures) in different rural communities. In this way, they will be able to recommend intervention strategies and solutions that are in line with the challenges faced by teenagers in those communities.

Thesis(M.A. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo / Early motherhood has been associated with negative biological and social outcomes in the developing world of the teenage mother and child. The study sought to explore the psychological health of teenage mothers from selected secondary schools in Seshego Township, Limpopo Province. Generally, the study makes use of a comparative design and 120 participants were selected for the study consisting of 60 teenage mothers and 60 teenage non-mothers. The psychological health of teenage mothers was compared to the psychological health of teenage non-mothers. The study made use of the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) with only three demographic questions, which was given to both teenage mothers and teenage non–mothers. The results of the study show that there was no significant difference in the psychological health of teenage mothers and teenage non–mothers. Results also showed that there was no significant difference on the sub-scales of somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and depression. Results of teenage mothers were compared to one another, and this comparison also showed that there was no significant difference within this group. Also results on age, grade and family structure showed no significant difference between the two groups compared to one another. Given the literature that exists worldwide showing that teenage motherhood can have negative impacts on mothers, particularly social and economic, but also physical and psychological health, it is clear that further research in this area needs to be conducted.

A qualitative study was done to explore and describe the problems of teenage mothers in the southern Hho-Hho region of Swaziland. Ten teenage mothers wrote naive sketches and fourteen teenage mothers were interviewed. The findings of the research indicated a lack of support for the teenage mother in all the dimensions studies in this research which include physical, social, cultural, emotional, spiritual, economical and educational. This lack of support systems were found to be the paramount problem and need urgent attention. The vicious circle of lack of support, ignorance, interruption of education and unplanned motherhood can only be addressed if all stakeholders including the multidisciplinary team actively participate to prevent teenage pregnancy and provide support for teenagers in general. / Nursing Science / M.A. (Nursing Science)

A qualitative study was done to explore and describe the problems of teenage mothers in the southern Hho-Hho region of Swaziland. Ten teenage mothers wrote naive sketches and fourteen teenage mothers were interviewed. The findings of the research indicated a lack of support for the teenage mother in all the dimensions studies in this research which include physical, social, cultural, emotional, spiritual, economical and educational. This lack of support systems were found to be the paramount problem and need urgent attention. The vicious circle of lack of support, ignorance, interruption of education and unplanned motherhood can only be addressed if all stakeholders including the multidisciplinary team actively participate to prevent teenage pregnancy and provide support for teenagers in general. / Adanced Nursing Sciences / M.A. (Nursing Science)

Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The alarming rate of teenage pregnancies among South Africans became a driving force for the researcher to investigate this particular phenomenon. The goal of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of pregnant teenagers about their pregnancy. Guided by the research question “ What are the experiences of pregnant teenagers about their pregnancy?” a scientific investigation was undertaken. The objectives set for the study were to determine their experience of their current pregnancy; to determine their knowledge of contraceptives; and to explore their experience regarding the services delivered by the health care workers. A phenomenological descriptive design with a qualitative approach was the most suitable scientific method to describe the experiences of pregnant teenagers who attend an antenatal clinic in Chatsworth, Kwazulu Natal. An interview guide or protocol that includes a list of open-ended questions based on the objectives, the literature review, and the professional experience of the researcher was designed and used to explore during each interview. The final sample consisted of ten participants. Experts in the field of nursing and research methodology were consulted to determine the feasibility and content of the study, to evaluate the research process and outcome. The researcher collected the data personally. Data was collected by means of individual interviews. The researcher did the transcription of the interviews. Ethical approval was obtained from Stellenbosch University and the relevant health authorities. Informed written consent was obtained from the participants. Parental permission was obtained for participants under the age of 18 years. Participants younger than 18 years of age also completed an assent form. Data that emerged from the data analysis was coded and categorised into sub-themes and themes. The researcher compiled a written account of the interpretations that emerged from the data analysis. In addition, member checking was done with each participant after individual interviews, to validate the transcribed data. The conceptual framework for this study was adapted from Maslow (1968). The findings suggest that there is a need for parental intervention as far as teenage pregnancy is concerned, financial difficulties associated with poverty was identified as one of the major contributing factor to teenage pregnancy, and attitudes of providers of contraceptives led to teenagers, not using contraceptives in some cases. It is recommended that services at the clinic be improved; health care workers undergo extensive training and education regarding teenage health and sexuality needs. Furthermore review and revitalisation of education programs at schools, to meet the needs of teenagers, which are constantly changing according to the times, are recommended. The involvement of parents and the community in combating issues surrounding teenage pregnancy is vital. Further research is recommended to find solutions to alleviate this problem of teenage pregnancy. All stakeholders need to work together to remedy this social problem as it is not an issue that can be dealt with in isolation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die veronrustende voorkoms van tienerswangerskappe onder Suid-Afrikaners was die motiverende faktor vir die navorser om die studie te onderneem. Die doel van die studie was om die ervaringe van swanger tieners ten opsigte van hul swangerskap te identifiseer en te beskryf. Die wetenskaplike ondersoek is gelei deur die navorsingsvraag, “wat is die ervaringe van swanger tieners betreffende swangerskap?” Die doelwitte vir die studie was om te bepaal: die ervaringe van die huidige swangerskap; kennis betreffende voorbehoedmiddels sowel as die ervaring ten opsigte van die dienste soos gelewer deur die gesondheidswerkers. 'n Fenomenologiese, beskrywende ontwerp met 'n kwalitatiewe benadering is as die mees geskikte wetenskaplike metode beskou om die ervaringe van swanger tieners wie 'n voorgeboorte-kliniek in Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal bywoon, te beskryf. Die navorser het gebruik gemaak van 'n vooraf opgestelde onderhoud gids, protokol bestaande uit 'n lys van oop vrae gebaseer op die doelwitte, die literatuuroorsig en die professionele ervaring van die navorser. Die finale steekproef was tien deelnemers. Kundiges op die gebied van verpleging en navorsingsmetodologie is geraadpleeg ten opsigte van die haalbaarheid, inhoud van die studie sowel, as om die proses en uitkoms van die navorsing te evalueer. Die data is persoonlik deur die navorser versamel. Data is ingesamel deur middel van individuele onderhoude. Transkripsie van die onderhoude is deur die navorser self-gedoen. Etiese goedkeuring is vooraf verkry vanaf die Universiteit van Stellenbosch sowel as die betrokke gesondheidsowerhede. Ingeligte skriftelike toestemming is verkry van die deelnemers sowel as van die ouers in geval van minderjaige tieners. Tydens die data-analise is data gekodeer en in temas en sub- temas kategoriseer. 'n Skriftelike verslag is saamgestel ooreenkomstig die interpretasie uit die data-analise. Die navorser het na transkripsie met elke onderskeie deelnemer gekontroleer ten einde geldigheid van die data te verseker. Maslow (1968) se teorie is gebruik as konseptuele raamwerk vir die studie. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat daar 'n behoefte is aan ouerlike tussentrede betreffende tienerswangerskappe. Finansiële probleme in verband met armoede is ïdentifiseer as een van die groot bydraende faktore tot tienerswangerskappe, sowel as dat houdings van diegene wat kontrasepsie verskaf daartoe kan lei dat tieners nie wil gebruik maak van voorbehoedmiddels nie. Dit word aanbeveel dat die dienste by die kliniek moet verbeter; gesondheidswerkers uitgebreide opleiding en onderrig moet kry ten opsigte van tienergesondheid en seksualiteit behoeftes. Hersiening en vernuwing van opvoedkundige programme by skole om in die voortdurende veranderende behoeftes van tieners, te voldoen. Die betrokkenheid van ouers en die gemeenskap in die bestryding van kwessies rondom tienerswangerskappe is noodsaaklik. Verdere navorsing word aanbeveel om oplossings te vind om hierdie probleem van tienerswangerskappe aan te spreek. Alle belanghebbendes moet saamwerk om hierdie sosiale probleem op te los.