Adolescent mothers' perceptions of the process leading to a second-time pregnancy

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to describe adolescent mothers' perceptions of the process leading to a second-time pregnancy. The sample consisted of four adolescent mothers who were pregnant with their second child or had delivered their second child within the last three months. Grounded theory using constant comparative analysis generated 4 77 data bits and 28 categories, which were further analyzed to total a final 18 categories. The core category, Facing Unreadiness, and the related subcategories provide a framework for understanding the adolescent mother who experiences a pregnancy for the second time. Information on adolescent mothers' process of Facing Unreadiness can help nurses to assist teens to identify strategies in dealing with a second-time pregnancy, and promote prevention of unplanned childbearing by teens with one child.