Chan Raymond Mow-chiu. / "2001." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 218-234). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / No presente trabalho analisamos a amamentação desde a óptica de um grupo de mães-nutrizes adolescentes de baixa renda, residentes no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Objetivamos compreender como as mulheres estudadas vivenciavam o processo de amamentação de seus filhos e identificar os fatores que contribuíam para a construção de tais vivências. Partimos do pressuposto de que as mães adolescentes vivenciavam o ser nutriz como uma ação cotidiana que se consolidava ou se desfazia em função de fatores da ordem da natureza e/ou da cultura que permeavam essa prática. Constitui-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa. Participaram 12 mães adolescentes, entre 15 e 19 anos de idade, que estavam amamentando seus filhos durante o primeiro trimestre pós-parto. Os depoimentos das entrevistadas foram analisados com base na técnica de análise de conteúdo, modalidade temática e interpretados à luz do referencial teórico da Pesquisa Qualitativa em Saúde. Para estas mulheres, a essência da prática do aleitamento materno se constrói ao redor de sua preocupação em relação ao sucesso/insucesso da amamentação e do exercício de deveres inerentes ao ser mãe adolescente. Expressam sua preocupação em produzir leite em quantidade e qualidade suficiente, ter mamas aptas para amamentar e conseguir que o bebê mamasse efetivamente. Assim mesmo, manifestam sentir o dever de ser responsáveis e amamentar, vencer o cansaço e a dor, pensar no bem-estar do filho e aceitar as mudanças que a maternidade e a amamentação imprimiram nos seus corpos. Reafirmam o conceito de amamentação como prática histórico-social aprendida. Grande ênfase é dada ao papel do profissional de saúde e do meio social como mediadores da aprendizagem e rede de suporte à amamentação. A partir dos resultados deste estudo sugerimos a necessidade de refletir sobre nossa função assistencial na promoção, proteção e apoio ao aleitamento materno neste grupo etário. / Along the present study we analyze breastfeeding from the point of view of a group of low income teenage breastfeeding mothers, living in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Our aim was to understand how these women experienced breastfeeding and to identify factors that contributed in the construction of such experiences. We assumed that teenage mothers felt their role as breast-feeders as an everyday activity, where persistence or preclusion depend on factors established both by culture and Nature. This qualitative research was carried out on a group of 12 teenage mothers, between 15 and 19 years old, that were breastfeeding during the first three months after delivered. The interviews were analyzed based on content analysis technique, thematic nodes and interpreted following Qualitative Health Research Theory. For these women, the essence of breastfeeding practice is built around their concerns regarding successful/failure breastfeeding and their tasks perceived as teenage mothers. They express their worries in terms of being able to produce both qualitative and quantitatively enough milk, having breasts able of breastfeed and being capable to establish an effective latch-on. In addition, they show concerns of being responsible and breastfeed even when tired or harmed, always thinking about their sons well-being and accepting the changes on their bodies perceived due to motherhood and breastfeeding. Teenage women reassure breastfeeding as a socio-historical practice. The health care provider and the teenagers significant others were emphasized as breastfeeding counsellors and main breastfeeding support network. The outcome of this study raises some question regarding our role as breastfeeding promoters for teenage mothers.

Thesis (M.A.) (Psychology) ---University of Limpopo, 2010 / The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of teenage pregnancy on pregnant teenagers. Specifically, the study sought to determine whether or not pregnant teenagers experience psychological distress during pregnancy, and to explore the nature of such distress. Fifty two (52) pregnant teenagers were conveniently sampled to participate in the study. Their ages ranged from 15 to 20 years, with the gestation period ranging from 4 to 9 months. The sample included pregnant teenagers from high schools and tertiary institutions in the Capricorn District (Limpopo Province). Data was collected using triangulation of methods, namely quantitative and qualitative methods. For the quantitative data, a 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) which measures such factors as somatic complaints, anxiety and insomnia, social isolation, and depression was used. For qualitative data, three focus group interviews were conducted with the participants. The results suggested indications of psychological distress during the gestation period. These included experiences of symptoms associated with somatic complaints, anxiety and insomnia, social isolation and severe depression. Furthermore, the study showed themes of distress wherein teenagers react to the realisation of pregnancy with fear and disbelief, and thoughts of termination of pregnancy. Participants gave reports that pregnancy was seen as a shameful event for the teenagers involved. Coping strategies noted included teenagers‟ resort to avoidance of situations which were perceived to be stressful, and also associating with people they perceived as being more supportive. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made: a) Intervention programmes should be put in place so as to help minimise the psychological and social problems experienced by pregnant teenagers, for example, crisis management skills could be offered to help deal with the trauma experienced; b) Social support structures should be made available to pregnant teenagers; and, c) Cultural practices should be incorporated in education syllabi that focus on human sexuality and reproduction. / N/A

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / Recent research has established that teenagers have the means to prevent pregnancy but many do not necessarily use them, because they are open to the idea of becoming pregnant, or have a desire to parent their own child. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between attachment and teenagers’ desire of becoming pregnant and parenting a child. The sample of the study, selected through convenience sampling, comprised 455, 14 and 15 year old registered female learners from selected urban and rural high schools in Mopani District, Limpopo Province. Findings from structural equation modeling indicate that both mother and father attachment do not influence teenagers’ idealization about pregnancy and parenting. Mother trust had a statistically significant relationship with attitudes towards pregnancy. Trust for both mother and father also had a significant relationship with parental readiness. Alienation to mother had a significant association with teenagers preparedness to become parents. Socio-economic status was found to be associated with teenagers’ idealization of pregnancy and their report of being physically and emotionally ready to become parents. This study has found a relationship between the Trust and Alienation dimensions of attachment with attitudes towards pregnancy and parental readiness. Key words: Attachment; socio-economic status; pregnancy; idealization; parental readiness / Medical Research Council (MRC)

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / Adolescent motherhood is a major problem in many societies throughout the world. One of the problems these young mothers have to deal with is depression. Depression often results in the disengagement of mother-child interaction. Adolescent mothers who are identified as depressed are more at increased risk of future psychopathology, with additional effects on their future and infants‟ lives. The aim of this study investigates the influence of demographic factors (age and marital status) and social support on depression among high school teenage mothers in the Mankweng area in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Two hundred adolescent mothers took part in the study. One hundred of participants were mothers while the others were non-mothers. Their ages ranged between 15 and 19. A quantitative research design and methodology was employed. Correlation analysis method was also used to associate lack of social support with depression. Correlation analysis indicates that lack of social support was a significant factor negatively affecting teenage mothers‟ disposition to depression (r = -0.609, p < 0.01). T-test analysis which was used to compare the experience of depression among teenage mother base on different age group, indicates that age does not play a significant role for teenage mothers to experience depression (t = 1.409, df = 98; p > 0.05). T-test analysis was also used to compare the experience of depression on married teenage mother and unmarried teenage mothers, and indicates that teenage mothers experience depression irrespective of marital status (t = 1.091, df = 98; p > 0.05). It is recommended that professional counseling be provided to teenage mothers before they return to the school system after giving birth. Support from social welfare and family members are also key support system for the young mothers so that these bring psychological and social stability in their lives.

This study explores the intrapersonal and interpersonal ecological factors that influence adolescent females' perceptions of sex and the extent to which their perceptions of sex impact onset of sexual intercourse as they mature. Particular attention is given to how depression influences individual, personal and social factors in an adolescent female's life, to shape her attitudes towards sex, and determine her engagement in sex as she reaches young adulthood. Ecological Systems Theory is used to examine the extent to which individual, family, and social factors impact adolescent females' perceptions of sex and onset of sexual intercourse. Data are from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Multinomial logistic regression reveals that the factors associated with less positive perceptions of sex are age, self-esteem, sexual intercourse, religiosity and connection to mother and peers, as well as, depression in combination with religiosity and connection to one's peers. More positive perceptions of sex are linked with depression, connection to one's school, as well as, depression in conjunction with aging and sexual intercourse. Results from the logistic regression analysis determines that less positive perceptions of sex delay onset of sexual intercourse among adolescent females; however, adolescent females' attitudes towards sex vary greatly in determining onset of sexual intercourse as they mature. Furthermore, there is no association between depression and adolescent females' perceptions of sex in predicting onset of sexual intercourse as they progress into young adulthood. The findings from this study suggest that programs focused on shaping attitudes toward sex should assist young women in forming a definite opinion about their decision to have sexual intercourse or abstain from engagement in sexual intercourse. A female's age, sense of self-worth, emotional state, and religiosity as well as the strength of her relationships with parents, peers and school must be considered when addressing her sexual health. This investigation supports the use of Ecological Systems Theory as a useful theoretical framework for examining the factors that influence adolescent females' perceptions of sex and engagement in sexual intercourse. A more cognitive investigation of the relationship between depression and the factors in an adolescent female's life that influence her attitudes towards sex and how depression affects an adolescent female's perception of sex and her decision to engage in sexual intercourse is warranted as this study finds only minor support for the use of Ecological Systems Theory when exploring the association between depression and adolescent female sexual health. / Graduation date: 2006

In Swedish shops today there are a lot of magazines aimed at teenagers, which fight for young girls’ attention. These teenage-magazines are one of the most important sources for young girls to get information about sex and love-relationships; therefor it’s important how these magazines portray it.  We have examined how the magazine Frida has portrayed sex and love-relationships from 1991 until today. The way sex and love-relationships are portrayed in Frida’s articles affect the young readers in their process of building an identity.  Using a combined rhetoric- and discourse analysis we found that the main focus in Frida is for the reader to have a love-relationship with a guy, instead of a physical sex-relationship. Frida uses all the rhetorical tools to convince their readers that what they are telling them is the right way to think and behave.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 404-434).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-104).

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1974. / Typewritten.