Adolescent mothers in care are a unique and complex group of mothers who have received little recognition in the existing literature. This study aimed to understand the psychological processes, linked to their experience as care leavers, which influence their everyday experiences and interactions with their child. Thirteen mothers were interviewed, who were teenagers when their child was born, and had been looked after within the UK care system. The data was analysed using grounded theory methodology. Nine major categories were co-constructed from participant narratives and a theoretical model developed. A number of internal and external processes were suggested to mediate the link between their past and present experience, and their relationship and interaction with their children. These internal processes reflected motherhood as facilitating a necessary bond to their child and creating opportunity to change; yet, also represented their fluctuating self-concept, emotional experiences and connections to their past. The external processes were experienced as destabilising, undermining their internal experiences and challenging their experiences and interactions with their child. Social support lessened but did not eradicate the impact of this. The findings are considered in relation to existing theory and research, and the clinical implications and directions for future research are outlined.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:583281 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Douglas, Chantell |
| Publisher | Canterbury Christ Church University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://create.canterbury.ac.uk/12340/ |
Page generated in 0.0101 seconds