Discovering Self

Abstract

Adolescent mothers may need assistance to construct their maternal identity in order to strengthen self-perceptions and improve maternal/child outcomes.

Developing the concept of maternal in teenage mothers: a hybrid model

“…Analysis showed seven categories of attributes, including “a process-oriented phenomenon in nature,” “complex, challenging and multidimensional,” “development with immature transition,” “a turning point in life,” “a stressful event,” “affected by multiple factors,” and “bidirectional effects on life.” In fact, motherhood has different aspects, including cultural, cognitive, social, legal, behavioral, and health aspects ( Mangeli et al, 2017 ; Campbell and Hart, 2019 ; Nkwemu et al, 2019 ; Apolot et al, 2020 ; Chemutai et al, 2020 ; Govender et al, 2020 ; Santos et al, 2021 ; Twintoh et al, 2021 ; Wainaina et al, 2021 ). A review of the literature showed that becoming a mother is an unexpected and immature transition and development in adolescents ( Macintosh and Callister, 2015 ; Margherita et al, 2017 ; Mangeli et al, 2018a ; Dzotsi et al, 2020 ; Gbogbo, 2020 ; Gharacheh et al, 2020 ; Santos et al, 2021 ). Therefore, motherhood is a turning point in the life of a teenager that can cause a fundamental transformation ( Seamark and Lings, 2004 ; Soares and Lopes, 2011 ; Moridi and Aminshokravi, 2018 ; Zainudin, 2019 ; Santos et al, 2021 ).…”

“…“Negative psychological consequences” included a feeling of humiliation, shame, fear, stress, anxiety, depression, shock, guilt, anger, suicide thoughts, isolation, and identity confusion ( Rentschler, 2003 ; Atuyambe et al, 2005 ; Kaye, 2008 ; DeVito, 2010 ; Soares and Lopes, 2011 ; James et al, 2012 ; Mangeli et al, 2017 ; Margherita et al, 2017 ; Sámano et al, 2017 ; Osok et al, 2018 ; Santos et al, 2018 , 2021 ; Amod et al, 2019 ; Campbell and Hart, 2019 ; Dhaka and Musese, 2019 ; Diamand et al, 2019 ; Moridi et al, 2019 ; Nkwemu et al, 2019 ; Sommer et al, 2019 ; Apolot et al, 2020 ; Calver, 2020 ; Chemutai et al, 2020 ; Franco-Ramírez et al, 2020 ; Gbogbo, 2020 ; Gharacheh et al, 2020 ; Govender et al, 2020 ; Malatji et al, 2020 ; Recto and Champion, 2020 ; Tirgari et al, 2020 ; Kazal et al, 2021 ; Naidoo et al, 2021 ; Wainaina et al, 2021 ).“Positive psychological consequences” included gaining respect ( Anwar and Stanistreet, 2015 ; Mangeli et al, 2017 ; Calver, 2020 ; Gharacheh et al, 2020 ), feelings of joy ( Klingberg-Allvin et al, 2008 ; Moridi et al, 2019 ; Sommer et al, 2019 ; Chemutai et al, 2020 ; Franco-Ramírez et al, 2020 ), maturity, reduced risky behavior ( Anwar and Stanistreet, 2015 ; Macintosh and Callister, 2015 ; Ngum Chi Watts et al, 2015 ; SmithBattle et al, 2021 ), learning ( Dhaka and Musese, 2019 ; Santos et al, 2021 ; Erfina et al, 2022 ), an opportunity for positive changes ( Seamark and Lings, 2004 ; Ngum Chi Watts et al, 2015 ; …”

Improving Perinatal Care Through Theory Application

“…Insight into theory expression in diverse populations will give nurses additional tools for personalizing care for women transitioning to motherhood including prenatal education and increased commitment with health coaching and recommendations (Ross, 2012) and development of interventions for NICU mothers (Hall, Kronborg, Aagaard, & Brinchmann, 2013). A lifespan approach to understanding maternal identity development can guide nursing care of pregnant adolescents (Macintosh & Callister, 2015) as well as an awareness of the dual liminality of being within pregnancy and not yet an adult.…”