Psychosocial dimension of adolescent pregnancy: a phenomenological study on life experiences

ABSTRACT

Aim

This study aimed to assess the lived experiences of adolescent pregnant young women, with a specific focus on the psychosocial aspect of adolescent pregnancy, using a phenomenological approach.

Design

Employing the phenomenological research method, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted between 3 August and 18 August 2023 with 15 young women (mean age = 21.86 years; SD = 1.06) living in a province in eastern Turkey who had undergone adolescent pregnancy 3–5 years before.

Methods

The criterion sampling method, a form of purposive sampling, was used to form the sample group. Interviews were carried out until data saturation was reached. All interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting.

Results

Through data analysis, three main categories (reflections on adolescent pregnancy, challenges due to adolescent pregnancy, and effects of adolescent pregnancy) and nine sub-themes (emotions, roles and responsibilities, perception of social support, cognitive, emotional, behavioural, mental, physical, and social) emerged.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the adverse psychosocial impact of adolescent pregnancy on young women. Young women who got married at an early age before attaining full physical, social, and psychological maturity grappled with the substantial burdens of adolescent pregnancy and adjusting to their new roles. The study’s implications are significant, emphasising the necessity of addressing the psychosocial facets of adolescent marriage and pregnancy, and gaining valuable insights for the future.

KEYWORDS:

• Turkey
• adolescent pregnancy
• young women’s mental well-being
• psychosocial aspects
• phenomenological research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors’ contribution

The authors share the responsibility for the manuscript.

Conception and design

SU,ÇE; data collection: SU,ÇE; analysis and interpretation: SU,ÇE, and manuscript writing: SU,ÇE.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.

Ethical statement

We have received approval from the ethics committee of a public university (Hakkari University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee) (dated 1 August 2023, numbered 2023/80–01).

Additional information

Funding

The study did not receive any financial support or relationships that may pose potential conflict of interest.