- Title
- Developing a theoretical perspective about Thai pregnant teenagers and their families - a grounded theory nursing study
- Creator
- Sritakaew, Nuttaya
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2017
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- This qualitative Grounded Theory (GT) doctoral study investigated the phenomena of families and teenage mothers in rural Thailand. Most previous studies in Thailand have focused on teenage girls and teenage pregnancy issues, which often disregards family dynamics and involvement. This study sought to develop and explore a theoretical perspective to improve understanding families of teenage mothers and to identify possible nursing care to support them. A sample of eight health care professionals and ten families including nine mothers, seven fathers, ten teenage mothers, two grandfathers and two grandmothers were recruited. Unstructured interviews were used for data collection in participant’s homes. Theoretical sampling allowed the researcher to clarify in depth the phenomena from one participant to the next. The constant comparative method was employed to compare the differences and similarities in the data throughout data collection and analysis. NVivo 10 was used to organise and analyse data comparisons during data analysis. Four key core categories emerged from the data analysis: 1. Family crisis and undeniable obligation: Families of teenage mothers experienced hardship and social and familial disruption because teenage pregnancy out of wedlock is not acceptable culturally, or spiritually in Thailand. Although conflicts occurred for participants, participant families never denied their young daughters family support. ; 2. Decision making about teenage pregnancy: Parents and teenage girls had to make decisions together about the pregnancy and birth and these decisions affected the extended family. Parents felt guilty that they were in some way to blame for the pregnancy. Moreover, parents reflected that because of the changes taking place in Thailand culturally and socially that teenage girls were engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse earlier and at greater risk of pregnancy. ; 3. The pressure of pregnancy on the teenage mother: Thai culture and society places pressure on Thai teenage girls when they became pregnant. The life of teenage girls is completely changed and despite many problems resulting from the pregnancy, teenage mothers could see a positive side to change in themselves and in the family dynamics. Participants described the pregnancy as providing them with a new sense of maturity and improved family relationships. Most young mothers (teenagers) reflected that they were influenced by their feelings of love, which led to them becoming pregnant. ; 4. Challenges for nurses and other health care professionals and cultural barriers: Health professionals were faced with challenges around their expectations as to how to help the teenager and her family. It was a challenge for them to perform their roles because of abortion issues and pressure, attitudes around sexuality in the Thai population, and attitudes within the health care system that they work in. It is the view of health care professionals that educational issues, social, and cultural changes are the main cause of the upsurge in teenage pregnancy. The theoretical model presented, states teenage pregnancy creates several deleterious effects on teenage mothers and their families, particularly in relation to cultural expectations, family experiences, health care involvement and societal acceptance. In Thailand, families are obligated to take responsibility for their daughters and their newborn babies without support from any stakeholders, including health professionals. Such an expectation places additional burden on the family and the teenage mother. Health care professionals are key to providing support for families and teenage mothers to help them become more confident when encountering an unexpected pregnancy. Health care support for families and teenage mothers in Thailand requires further development to meet the needs of teenage mothers and their families.
- Subject
- teenage pregnancy; families of teenage pregnancy; grounded theory; Thailand
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1343127
- Identifier
- uon:29097
- Rights
- Copyright 2017 Nuttaya Sritakaew
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Thesis | 4 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 390 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |