The lived experience of role transition of adolescent mothers

Abstract

The phenomenon of childbearing and parenting among adolescents in the United States is becoming more common. This study used the phenomenological research method to explore the lived experience of the role transition of adolescent mothers. The research question was: What is the lived experience of making the transition from the role of non-pregnant teenager into that of adolescent mother? The researcher interviewed four adolescent mothers between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age, currently parenting a firstborn infant under two years of age. Analysis of audiotaped and transcribed interviews resulted in 782 significant statements. Further analysis of the data, using Colaizzi's procedure, yielded 109 themes, 33 theme clusters, and 8 theme categories, and an exhaustive description and essential structure of the lived experience. The theme categories derived from the data analysis were: Life as a Teen, Considering Motherhood, I'm Pregnant, Moving Toward Motherhood, From Teen to Mathe=, Coming Home with Baby, New Baby-New Roles, and Looking Ahead. The essential structure indicated that the lived experience of role transition of adolescent mothers was a journey, from life as a teen to life as a mother. This journey into motherhood created changes in social relationships, health, and future life goals and the stress of new roles and numerous responsibilities. Motherhood also provided a redirection and a view to the future.