Interaction of culture and grief amongst women who terminated a pregnancy in adolescence: A narrative approach

Abstract

Background: Culture plays a vital role in resolving grief in African communities. However, women who terminate a pregnancy in adolescence are typically not exposed to cultural rituals that could ease their grief.Objectives: The purpose of this article is to explore the interaction of culture and grief amongst women who terminated a pregnancy in adolescence.Method: A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken using a narrative approach. Unstructured interviews were conducted to solicit narratives from 11 women who terminated a pregnancy in adolescence.Results: Data were analysed through narrative, thematic data analysis. Three themes emerged from the findings: delayed post-traumatic growth, low body esteem and an alteration in the development of maternal identity.Conclusion: The study intended to explore the interaction of culture and grief amongst women who terminated a pregnancy in adolescence. The researcher determined that women who had not honoured their culture because of the secrecy surrounding the termination of pregnancy had delayed healing and an altered self-image.

The support group impact on enhancing the self-worth of women who terminated a pregnancy in adolescence

“…Some major findings of this study were that women suffered self-condemnation and carried a burden of secrecy. 17 The findings motivated the first researcher to encourage and oversee women who terminated a pregnancy and were lacking self-worth, to form a support group and to subsequently follow up its impact on these women through this study. As a secular intervention, the support group was formed in February 2020.…”