MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

PREGY (PERSONAL ISSUES, ROUGH ADJUSTMENT, ENHANCE CONNECTIONS, GREAT

RESPONSIBILITY, YOUNG MOTHER’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT); PHENOMENOLOGY OF

TEENAGE MOTHER OF CENTRO 3 LASAM, CAGAYAN

A Research Presented to the

College of Nursing of

Medical Colleges of Northern Philippines

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree Bachelor of

Science in Nursing Research

BY:

BUHISAN, MARIA JOSEPHINE P.

BUTACAN, APRIL A.

PALLE, JULIE ANNE H.

RABANAL, LEA ABIGAIL T.

UTAYDE, CASSEY FAITH S.

S.Y. 2020-2021

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE PAGE

Title Page---------------------------------------------i

Approval Sheet-----------------------------------------ii

Acknowledgement----------------------------------------iii

Dedication---------------------------------------------iv

List of Tables-----------------------------------------vii

List of Figures----------------------------------------viii

Abstract-----------------------------------------------ix

Chapter I – THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction-------------------------------------------1

Theoretical Framework----------------------------------3

Research Paradigm--------------------------------------4

Statement of the Problem-------------------------------5

Significance of the Study------------------------------5

Scope and Delimitation of the Study--------------------6

Definition of Terms------------------------------------7

Chapter II – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Review of Related Literature---------------------------8

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

Chapter III – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design---------------------------------------26

Respondents of the Study------------------------------26

Data Gathering Tool-----------------------------------27

Data Gathering Procedure------------------------------27

Data Analysis-----------------------------------------28

Chapter IV – RESULT, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Presentation, Interpretation, and Analysis of Data----29

Chapter V – SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary of Findings-----------------------------------77

Conclusion---------------------------------------------78

Recommendation----------------------------------------79

APPENDICES

References

Sample Data Gathering Tool

Informed Consent

Transcripts of Data

Curriculum Vitae

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Factors Associated with Early Pregnancy------------29

Table 2: Challenges Encountered of Early Pregnancy----------39

Table 3: Coping to Challenges-------------------------------48

Table 4: Lessons Learned from Experience--------------------53

Table 5: Outcomes of Early Pregnancy------------------------64

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Research Paradigm --------------------------------4

Figure 2: Central Phenomenon -------------------------------71

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CHAPTER 4

RESULT, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter discusses the result, analysis and interpretation of

data. It has been categorized by themes that derived from each

respondent’s responses. This served as evidence that supports the

study.

Table 01: FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH EARLY PREGNANCY

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM CLUSTER THEMES EMERGENT

CODES THEMES

Broken family Poor parent and child PERSONAL

Lack of attention relationship ISSUES
Family problem

Peer pressure Bad company

Negative friends

Financial difficulties Lack of financial support

Lack of support

Compromised Education Inability to continue

Self-doubt education

Personal issue is a theme that discusses the factors associated

with our respondent’s early pregnancy. Teenagers’ personal dilemmas

such as having a poor relationship with their parents, being in a bad

circle of friends, lack of financial resources, and inability to study

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are the main reasons we found that has the biggest contribution in our

teenage mother’s situation.

According to Macleod and Durrheim (2003), teenage pregnancy is a

social problem, associated with school disruption, poor obstetric

outcomes, inadequate motherhood, poor child outcomes, and poor

relationships with relatives, partners, and peers. Difficulties,

leading to demographic concerns about population growth. Adolescents’

likelihood of having unprotected sex, pregnancy and childbirth are

strongly correlated with several risk factors. These factors included

growing up in a single-parent household, living in a poor and/or high-

poverty neighborhood, poor school attachment and performance, and low

parental education levels (Moore, Miller et al. al. 1995). Life

experiences associated with poverty, exclusion from school, prevalence

of out-of-wedlock childcare and unemployment, lack of educational

opportunities, and secure career prospects reduce the perceived costs

of early motherhood; it has been reported to lead to an increase in

teenage pregnancies. Girls of lower socioeconomic status and early

onset of menarche have also been reported to be sexually active (Coley

and Chase-Lansdale, 1998). Based on this result, it can be argued that

socioeconomic factors may influence early sexual behavior in

teenagers, thereby increasing the likelihood of conception.

Poor parent and child relationship hinders parental guidance and

involvement. Families have tremendous influence as a risk factor to

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teenage pregnancy. Adolescents love attention; they usually seek

attention to others especially when they are being disregarded by

their parents. Parental guidance, attention and involvement to the

child most likely develop a mutual trust between parents and children

and it is easier for parents to guide and monitor their children as

their child will not hesitate to tell their problems, doings and

whereabouts. Broken family, family problems and lack of attention

leads to poor parent and child relationships that hinders parental

guidance and support.

According to Fergusson and Woodward (2000) they found that

adolescents living in vulnerable households, such as single-mother

households, families with conflicting parents, some parental

separation, and living with stepparents, were predisposing factors for

teenage pregnancy. As reported by Gyan (2013). Ferguson and Woodward,

(2000). And Tatta et al., (2003) reported that parental neglect and

absenteeism caused teenage pregnancies in Nzambani because the girls

had no role models or supervision.

PO1:“Kuwan dahil narin sa broken

family ako tapos yung pinag
stayan ko dati sa Solana
masyadong mapang api yung tipong
magagalit sila dun sa anak nila
ako yung nasasaktan kapag nakita
nila ako ako yung sasampalin
susuntukin mga ganun tapos
siyempre bilang teenager din
meron yung rebelde na ugali yung
umiiral sa akin pagrerebelde
hanggang sa hindi ko na naano
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yung temptation nabuntis ako

dahil lang sa pagrerebelde.”
(Because I belongto a broken
family, then the one I used to
live with in Solana is very
oppressive.For example, they will
get angry with their child and I
am the one who gets hurt when
they see me, I am the one who
will be slapped, will be punched
like that then of course as a
teenager there is also
therebellious act that exists in
me I got rebelled until I can no
longer control the temptation. I
got pregnant just because of
rebellion.)
PO3: “Lack of attention from my
family and I seek too much
atensyon sa ibang tao at so yun
nga po nagka jowa na ko feeling
ko sa kanya ko nakukuha lahat ng
atensyon not knowing na I got too
far ayun po attensyon nakulangan
ako doon.” (I was always
seekingattention from my family
and when I got a boyfriend, I got
all the attention I needed from
him.)
PO8: “Siguro yung nakikita kong
dahilan kaya ako maagang nabuntis
dahil sa family problem lagi ako
pinapagalitan ng aking ama ang
baba ng tingin niya sa akin. Kaya
noon bf ko na tumutulong sakin
para tumatag hanggang sa palagi
na kami nagsasama. Hanggang sa
may nangyari na saamin.” (Maybe
the reason I see why I got
pregnant early is because of a
family problem. My father always
scolds me. He underestimated me.
So, it was my bf who helped me to
be strong until we were always
together.Until something happened
to us.)

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Having a bad company or wrong set of friends leads a teenager in

developing unwanted behavior and disruptive choices in life. Peer

pressure and negative friends is one of the factors that our study

found associated with early pregnancy. Negative friends and peer

pressure motivates teenagers to engage in sexual behavior as this type

of friends is curious in a lot of things in the world including

premarital sex. They are lack in sexual knowledge and guidance, and

all they know is that sexual intercourse is something done by lovers.

They are promoting early dating and premarital sex but they are not

aware of it’s consequences.

Thus, Williams (1991), cited in a Ghanaian study by Gyan (2013),

found that adolescents are often engaged and dependent on peers for

information, resulting in discovering not factual information.

Similarly, teens tend to imitate their peers and may engage in

substance abuse, early risky sex, and more. Similarly, Orori and

Yusuna (2013), Mutanana and Mutara (2015), and her NCPD (2017) found

that as teens perceive and adapt to peer behavior, peer pressure can

affect her teenage years. Reported to be a contributing factor in

teenage pregnancies and substance abuse.

PO2: “Barkada dahil

naimpluwensyahan ako sa kanila.”
(My friends because of bad
influence.)
PO4: “Dahil sa barkada, tapos
family problem, tapos own problem
yung pagiging emotional mo ganon
then mga school activities din
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po. Sa barkada po yun po yung

tinutkso tukso ka nila doon po
nagsisimula.” (It is because of
my friends family problems,
dealing with my own problems like
being emotional and school
activities too. It all started
when my friends were teasing me.)
PO6: “Barkada a iti kasta isu
ajay nabarkada nak idi syempre
boyfriend dim ammu ti anya ti
kasta na. Agnimun inum ka kasjay
agsigarilyo adjay ti way nan apay
nga kwa, nabarkada. Gamin idi
nawalay kami ag ob-overnight kami
agijay gamin idi iti kasta mi isu
nga kasta siguro napaaga nga
naging ina.” (I was in a group of
friends with our boyfriends then
I didn’t notice that. I’ve
already lost. I became too much.
We used to drink alcohol, smoke,
we go wherever we want, and
overnight sleep at friend’s house
I think that’s the reason why I
got pregnant early.)

Lack of financial support is also associated with early pregnancy

as poverty pushes teenagers to compromise their education and comfort

just to provide their needs or self sustaining. As teenagers having

difficulties in looking for financial support, they don’t have the

chance to continue their studies and end up having a family at a very

young age. Lack of financial support or difficulties are one of the

factors our respondents claimed that triggers them to engage in early

pregnancy.

According to Macleod (1999), there seems to be a consensus among

researchers that poor socioeconomic status is the main cause of

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adolescent pregnancy. In a longitudinal study of her teenage pregnancy

and educational attainment in New Zealand by Fergusson and Woodward

(2000), girls from poorer backgrounds were more likely to have their

teenage mothers than girls from financially stable backgrounds. Shown

to be at high risk. Similarly, a KDHS (2014) study found that the

majority of teenage mothers are from economically disadvantaged

quartiles. On the other hand, Timaeus & Moultrie (2015), in a

longitudinal study of adolescence, childbirth, and educational

attainment in South Africa, reported that girls were from poorer

backgrounds. Actively engaged in sexual relationships with men in the

hope that they would pay their school fees. Ikamari et al.,

(2013), UNFPA (2015), Ogori and Yusuna (2013), Mutanana and Mutara

(2014), and also Gyan (2013).

According to Robeyns’ (2005) Sen Capability Approach (CA), lack

of economic freedom leads to lack of the most basic needs such as

education, nutrition, health, and clothing, and increases the risk of

girls falling into teenage pregnancy and becoming parents.

PO1: “ako at tsaka yung partner

ko e is medyo mahirap. Naghihirap
kami kasi siyempre ako, wala kong
natapos yung partner ko grade 12
nayun diko pa alam kung makakapag
graduate, pero ngayon nasa
tuguegarao na siya nagwowork sana
nga lang makaaho kami kahit
papano. Si baby naman sa awa ng
diyos hindi nagkakasakit. Okay
naman masayang pamilya minsan nga
lang nagkakaproblema dahil lang
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sa pinansiyal na support kasi

nagdadiaper yung baby ko tapos
madami rin kaming binabayaran na
bills kasi nga sa family nga po.
Ayun ang hirap hanapan ng kuwan
mga pinansyal kasi wala akong
trabaho yung partner ko naman no
10,25 ang swelduhan sa trabaho
kaya hirap hanapan ng
pagkukuhanan talaga ng pang
gastos.” (My family, my baby, me
and my partner are having
difficulties. We are having
difficulties because of course I
didn’t finish my studies, while
my partner is a grade 12 student
and I still don't know if he can
graduate, but now he's in
Tuguegarao and he's working
hoping we can get up somehow. The
baby, by the mercy of God, does
not get sick. It's okay, a happy
family but sometimes we're having
a problem because of financial
support, my baby uses diapers and
then we also pay a lot of bills
for the family. That's how hard
it is to find financial resources
because I don't have a job and my
partner receives his salary every
10th and 25th of the month and it
is really hard to find resources
to pay the expenses.) P03: “My
family is fine masaya naman kami
at kunteto ngunit wala nga lang
kami kapabilidad ng buhayin
ngayon ang sarili naming mga anak
kasi nag aaral pa po kami. Naka
depende kami ngayon sa mga
parents namin at sa mga iskolar,
kargo kami ng magulang ko.” (My
family is OK. We are happy that
we are contented but right now we
do not have the capability to
take care of our children because
we are still studying. We are
currently depending on our

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parents and our scholarship; I

have 2 children already.)
PO8: “Kapag tungkol naman po sa
pinansyal sa buhay medyo
nagkakaproblema po kami kasi
napoproblemahan po kami sa
pambili ng gatas para sa baby
naming. Farmer at nagsasideline
rin po sa construction yung asawa
ko.” (About our financial status,
we are encountering problems
related to finances, we are
having difficulties in buying
milk formula for our baby. My
husband works as a farmer and at
the same time he works as a
construction worker too.)

Lack of financial support and self doubt is interconnected with

the cluster theme Inability to continue study. As teenagers who are in

low socioeconomic status set aside their education because of poverty

and low confidence to self. Inability of a teenager to attend school

prevents them to be educated on sexual practices and its outcome. It

also makes teenagers vulnerable to teenage pregnancy and has a high

probability that they would also end up raising their child into

poverty as they don’t have proper education that is vital in looking

for a decent job to live. Teenagers also experienced discrimination

and bullying which prevent them to attend school.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), teenage

girls in rural areas are at higher risk of becoming pregnant than

girls in urban areas. This is because teenage girls in rural areas

have only primary education, while girls in urban areas have better

education. Aside from academic factors, the report also says some
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girls don’t know how to avoid pregnancy, while others are shy or

embarrassed to use contraceptives.

Ehlers (2003) found that adolescent women who were poor students

with low educational attainment were more likely to become young

mothers than women of the same age who had good grades.

PO4: “Noong una ate mahirap po,

mahirap sabihin sa mga tao, sa
school kasi yun yung takot na ma
judge ka yung mga rumors tapos
pwede ka nilang I bully ganon
mahirap din po yun mag o
overthink ka then na overcome ko
din po yun noong nag open po ako
sa teacher namin then yung
teacher po namin nag explain sa
mga classmates ko at yun okay na
din po pero may mga rumors pa
rin, may mga nambu bully pa rin.”
(I had struggles at the
beginning, it is not easy to tell
people my situation especially in
school because I’m scared I will
be judge by others and rumors are
spreading all over then students
have the chances to bully me,
another is I’m over thinking that
is why it is really hard but
eventually I overcome it, I open
my situation to my teacher and
she helped me to let my classmate
understand what I’m going
through, eventually it turn ok
but there were still rumors and
some bullying but I still
continue my studies.)
PO5: “Nasa middle class lang po
kami, hindi naman po kami
nagigipit.Meron pong tumutulong
samin, both parents po. Isang
beses lang po ako nagbuntis. Nag
stop po muna ako ako ng isang
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taon pero itutuloy ko po.”

(Simple, we’re in the middle
class, and not short of money.
Someone is helping us, our both
parents. I only got pregnanct
once. I stopped going to school
for a year but I will continue.)
PO8: “Mahirap mag aral po ngayon
kasi modyul hindi ko kayang
pagsabayin kasi nag aalaga ako ng
bata. Hindi ko alam kung
kakayanin ko mag-aral.” (It is
hard to study now, we are having
our modules and I can’t do it at
the same time because I need to
take care of my baby. I don’t
know if I still can continue my
studies.)

Table 02: CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED AS A CONSEQUENCES OF EARLY PREGNANCY

STATEMENT OF THE CLUSTER THEMES EMERGENT

PROBLEM CODES THEMES

Taking care Managing difficulties as a ROUGH

Postpartum depression teenage mother ADJUSTMENT
Adjustment
Financial problem

Criticism Defying family and community

Separation criticism

Reasons for Rough Adjustment; In fact, a mother's ability to be a

mother is determined by how well she takes care of her child, meeting

all of their physical requirements and wants as well as providing the

necessary emotional and psychosocial support. The big life shift of

motherhood, a woman must balance personal wants at this time with

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general concerns about her child's welfare. The optimal time to become

pregnant is when the woman is physically, emotionally, spiritually,

and financially ready, and it is obvious that adolescent mothers are

not. New mothers need to make many adjustments, including

physiological, sociological, and financial ones. The burden of

motherhood is placed on the teen at the height of her adolescent

enjoyment. The teen is then pressured to mature for the sake of her

child because she is still unprepared for the significant role she

will have to play.

Whether the pregnancies were anticipated or not, the majority of

adolescent moms had less time to prepare for and acclimate to

parenthood. Their capacity to handle the pressures of teenage

parenting and their lack of expertise in effective child rearing

techniques hurt their emotional health. This is due to the expectation

that stress will raise the risk of depression, anxiety, and other

emotional issues (Yahya, 2016).Women are more vulnerable and face

tremendous challenges in the transition to motherhood. This is

exacerbated for young mothers, and research shows that growing mothers

experience the burden of responsibility as they become mothers.

(International Journal of Nursing Science, 2019)

It's difficult work being a parent. It's even tougher to raise a

child in your teens. Among the most difficult things most individuals

will ever do in their lifetime are raising a child, beginning a job,

discovering who they are, and going to school. Can you even begin to
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conceive experiencing each of these simultaneously? Do these folks

receive the support they require when it comes to providing for the

virtually constant feeding, bathing, and caring of children? If you're

a teen parent, you could have to deal with some unique difficulties,

such as trying to finish school while caring for a child, your

financial situation, the possibility that you'll have postpartum

depression, and your ability to adjust. If these adolescent mothers

are well-equipped with the knowledge necessary to properly care for

their newborn, Being a mother to a newborn is quite difficult since

the baby has many demands that must be satisfied for healthy

development. The mother must attend to the infant's needs in order for

the baby to develop healthily, including regular feedings, diaper

changes, immunizations, newborn screenings, and reacting to the baby's

cries. Ineffectiveness was one of the biggest issues teenage mothers

had to deal with. They are dependent on others because they lack the

knowledge and abilities necessary for a successful parental role. Many

teen mothers lacked the knowledge necessary to assume responsibility

for caring for themselves and their children. A teen woman's life may

change as a result of an unintended pregnancy. Teen moms have to deal

with adolescence and adjust to the responsibilities and demands of

parenting all at once, which is why they develop mental health

problems, particularly postpartum. This places her in a position where

she is responsible not only for herself but also for the life of

another human being. Financial problem might go beyond simply not

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being able to cover the ongoing costs of raising a kid. Many teenage

moms are unable to complete their schooling, which lowers their

potential lifetime income. Additionally, for a variety of reasons,

their offspring frequently does poorly academically as well and may

experience financial hardship as they grow older. However, teen

motherhood is not a death sentence, just like any other form of

adolescent risk-taking, and it is possible for teen mothers to

overcome financial obstacles. Teenage mothers face difficulties in

their abilities to adjust to their new parental position.

Young people who face motherhood in their teens may experience a

conflict between their new motherhood and their teenage needs. Early

motherhood experiences are contextual and influenced by the culture

and society in which the teen/woman lives (Moore, Miller et al. 1995).

Teenage pregnancy remains a major challenge in both developed and

developing countries. Premature and unwanted pregnancies among

adolescents have adverse health, educational, social and economic

consequences. (Joyce N. Mummer, 2019).

PO1: “Ano yung pag aalaga kay

baby simula sa noong panganganak
kasi walang nakagabay na parents
sakin yung mama ko nasa abroad
yung tipong magpapaligo ka kay
baby wala si mama walang matanda
sa tabi ko. Yung ako lang tapos
yung pagpupuyat sa gabi
pagpapadede yung kapag
nagkakasakit si baby parang isa
lang yung nakikita ng biyenan mo
kasalanan mo ganun. tapos Basta
kapag may sakit si baby laging
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hindi mawawala sa sitwasyon na

ikaw yung nasisisi kapag
nagkakasakit yung anak mo yung
lang.” (Taking care of my baby
since birth because there are no
parents to guide me, my mother is
in abroad, the experience where
you bathe the baby and there is
no mother to assist me. There is
no adult beside me. I'm the only
one who wakes up at night, feeds
the baby. when the baby gets
sick, it's like my mother -in law
sees only one thing, it's my
fault like that then Just when
the baby is sick you always don't
get lost in the situation where
you are the one to blame when
your child gets sick.)
PO2: “Pag-aalaga ng bata syempre
ang hirap mag alaga lalo na pag
bata pa siya hindi niya alam
sabihin kung ano masakit sa
kaniya.”(Taking care of a child
of course, it is hard especially
that they don't know how to
describe how they feel when they
get sick.)
PO4: “Yung pag-aalaga po ng baby,
yung time mo sa baby tapos time
mo as a housewife, then time mo
sa partner ang hirap po mag
budget ng time kasi minsan
umiiyak na yung bata nasusunog na
pala yung niluluto mo ganon tapos
pag gabi rin pag may tae po siya
ang hirap pong bumangon.” (Taking
care of my baby, I need to divide
my time for being a housewife and
time for the baby too. It’s
really hard to manage the time
especially when my baby is crying
and then you have to look into
the overcooked rice. And also
when the baby pooped during the
night and I have to wake up, it’s
really hard.) PO8: “Mga hamon na
dumating sakin bilang isang
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batang ina di ko alam kung pano

mag alaga, mag-paligo ng bata,
damitan tapos mayroong isa pa na
pinakahamon na walang wala kaming
pangbili ng gatas wala kaming
kapera pera noon yun yung mga
hamon na dumating sa amin.” (The
challenge that I encountered
being a teenage mother is I dont
know how to take care of the
baby, bathing the baby, and even
putting the clothes, another
struggle in our life that time is
we don’t have money to buy
formula milk for our baby.)
PO4: “Sa panganay ko po ay pinaka
hamon sakin noon is postpartum
depression I think kasi masyado
ako kung nag ooverthink,mabilis
ako kung magalit, mabilis akong
magselos sa maliliit na bagay
pati po sa biyenan ko yung parang
simple lang na pagkuha sa anak ko
pakiramdam ko kinukuha nila yung
oras ko para sa anak ko dun ko
napagtanto na hindi na normal
yung pinagdadaanan ko na parang
may mali kaya nag research ako na
nag research at yun pala nasa Im
under na pala ako ng postpartum
depression at naging pala away
rin ako noon.” (I experienced
postpartum depression with my
eldest. I was constantly
overthinking. I just angry
easily, jealous and when my
mother in law took the baby I
felt like the time that I am
spending with my baby is not
enough. I realized that it wasn't
right so is researched and found
out I am experiencing postpartum
depression.) PO6: “Nu kasanu ka
nga talaga kasanu ngata ti
pangalak ti kastuy pang araw-araw
kasjay. Single mother nak pay.
Satingin ko haan pay suna handa
agkaroon ti anak/pamilya idi.
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Syak lang tumagtagayod ti anak

ko. Ti pinagalga medyo nalag an
met.” (Where I can get the daily
needs. I am also a single mother.
I think my exboyfriend is not yet
ready to have a child/family. I’m
the only one supporting my child
and in terms of taking care of my
child it’s a bit easy.)
PO7: “Dim ammo nu pangalam ti
pang gatas mo kasjay, kin tapos
ket kasla ajay mabain ka met ti
nagannak mo nga Siyempre umasasa
nak, kin siyempre nu pinasok mo
ajay nga stado a ke dapat ready
kan kin agpamilya ka garuden
siyrempre hanmo kuma iaasa ti
nagannak mon ajay ti nagrigat.”
(That is when you do not know
where you will get money to
provide milk to your child.
Another is I’m ashamed of my
parents because I’m depending on
them. And of course if you chose
to enter this kind of situation
you must be ready already to
provide for your own family and
you must not depend on your
family anymore because you
already have your own family to
provide.) PO5: “Yun po, uhm
mahirap pong mag adjust kasi mga
puyat mga sleepless nights po
ganunn.” (That it is hard to
adjust, because of the sleepless
nights.)

Teens everywhere have to deal with a variety of difficult choices

and issues, thus the second cluster is Defying family and community

criticism since it feels like everyone is against them and that they

are on their own. Families and the community at large reacted to the

pregnancy in a variety of ways, from anger and disappointment to

abandonment, the quiet treatment, acceptance, and forgiveness. Teenage

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

pregnancy is typically unanticipated, and as a result, different

people react to it. The teen must adjust to the sudden demands of

adulthood and, in some situations, may also have to deal with the

rejection and discontent of close family members, friends, and

classmates. While some partners of adolescent mothers were content and

supportive during their pregnancies, others were in denial and

rejected them and the child.

Teenage pregnancy is typically unplanned, and as a result, people

react differently to the experience. The adolescent must deal with the

unexpected demands of adulthood, as well as the disapproval and

dissatisfaction expressed by significant others such as parents and

relatives. Several studies found that teenage mothers felt sad,

disappointed, shocked, and depressed after their pregnancies were

confirmed. According to a study conducted by Parekh and De la Rey

(1997), most teenagers initially denied the pregnancy before informing

their parents, who, in most cases, received the news with anger and

disappointment. The following quote from a study by Kaplan (1996)

demonstrates some of the typical reactions of parents of teenage

mothers: She asked me if I was going to keep it [baby], who the father

was, and where I was going to live. I told her that I was staying. And

she inquired, "How do you know I want you here?" I've already raised

my children. Some of the participants in Mpetshwa‟s (2000) study

reported having experienced a lot of ill treatment from their family

members, especially their parents who felt betrayed by their children

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

falling pregnant. It is evident from the above studies that

confirmation of pregnancy in the case of a teenager triggers different

negative reactions by the teenagers and their significant others. In

most cases the teenager concerned and her family find it difficult to

accept the pregnancy. It is these negative responses to the pregnancy

that could lead toSocial rejection, on the other hand, means that

others have little incentive to accept you into their friendships and

communities (Leary, 2010). The likelihood that an adolescent mother's

life and goals are adversely affected is reduced by an accepting and

supportive attitude towards her mother (Hermann, 2006).

PO6: “Maysa pay nga pagsubok ko

idi nagsina kami kin boyfriend
ko, nagrigat lalo nu kasinsina yo
ket adda sigud na. ajay ti hanko
matanggap idi. Ngem idi pinanawan
na kami ket agmaysa bulan tay
anak ko agasem man ajay.”
(Another challenge is when I get
separated from my partner, it is
hard especially when we were just
separated and he already has
another woman. I cannot accept
that during that time. He left
when my child was nearly a month
old.)
PO7: “Siyempre sa tutuusin ket
anya la maibagbaga dagiti
kaklasmeyt mi idi barkada kon
nagsyaat met atuyen hanko met.
Panpanunutek met idi ke
napatpateg jay anak ko. Baba yak
lattan idin ta siyempre kunak
garud ke han kayo kuma met
agdildillaw ta han yo met ammo nu
inya iti masakbayan yo kasjay ti
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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

inbagak kanyada. Su ajay bay

bayak lattan idin nu ana maibag
baga da.” (There are the side
comments of my friends and
classmates about me, but I just
thought about my child thet she
is more important. I just let
them say whatever they want to
say, and I just said that maybe
they must not say something like
that because we don’t know the
future. I just ignore their
words.

Table 03: COPING TO CHALLENGES

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM CLUSTER THEMES EMERGENT THEMES

CODES

Family support Plenty support system ENHANCE

Caring friends and CONNECTIONS
classmates
Good communication
Facing it whole-
Heartedly
Concerned siblings
Parental guidance

Pray to god Strengthening faith

Have faith

Pregnancy is a very important time for women who need social and

emotional support. Especially when a woman gets pregnant in her

teenage years when her overall development is immature, a time when

women are very vulnerable. Improving the connection with God and their

family and friends is a coping mechanism for respondents. They rely on

them to help them deal with their situation and coordinate the

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

necessary actions. Social support reduces stressors and improves the

emotional and physical health of pregnant women.

In order to manage the stresses of adolescent growth and maternal

responsibilities, many adolescent moms may benefit from social aid

(Hess, Papas, & Black, 2002). Social support has been demonstrated to

improve parents' health while also assisting parents in coping with

the demands of parenthood (Letourneau, Stewart, & Barnfather, 2004).

To discover the relevance and importance of spirituality in the lives

of 130 pregnant teenage women. A study of how spirituality positively

impacted her pregnancy is described. In a content analysis of those

who responded positively, the data identified six her themes that

explained the importance of beliefs or spirituality during pregnancy.

(a) Advice and Assistance. (b) protect, bless or reward; (c)

Communication with God. (d) Strength and confidence. (e) help with

difficult moral decisions; (f) General Beneficial Effects. These

findings demonstrate the importance of addressing spirituality as a

resource during pregnancy and are to further explore the importance of

spirituality during pregnancy for those who value spirituality.

(Journal of Holistic nursing 25 (3),

151-158, 2007)
This cluster theme explains that one of the coping mechanisms of

the respondents during their transition to motherhood was relying on

their family and friends. They shared their thoughts and how they felt

and listened to the advice they gave to them. With this kind of coping

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

mechanism they are relieved from anxiety and stress that may later

have an impact on them and to their children.

There is evidence that some adolescent mothers may use their teen

pregnancy and motherhood experiences as motivation to complete their

education so that they and their child can have a better future. One

of these experiences is social support, which is defined as "a coping

resource that may be called upon to promote resiliency and cope with

the responsibilities of new motherhood" (Letourneau, Stewart, &

Barnfather, 2004, p. 515). There are several ways to support the

programs, including through family, peers, support materials, and

intervention-enabling circumstances (Hess, Papas, & Black, 2002;

Letourneau, Stewart, & Barnfather, 2004). Social support has been

demonstrated to improve parents' health while also assisting parents

in coping with the demands of parenthood (Letourneau, Stewart, &

Barnfather, 2004). Teenage mothers may exhibit greater resiliency due

to improved social support from friends, family, school, and the

community as well as a change in their hopes and goals as they enter

adulthood, leading to more concrete educational and professional

objectives (Camarena, Minor, Melmer, & Ferrie, 1998;

Smithbattle, 2007).

PO3: “With the help of my

classmates and friends ko naman
po naovercome ko naman po yung
silent battle ko.”(My friends and
classmates helped me get through
that.) PO5: “uhm, hinarap ko po
ito ng buo, kasama narin po iyong
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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

mga sinasabi/advice ng mga

magulang at kaibigan.”(I faced it
wholeheartedly, together with my
parents and friend’s advices.)
PO8: “Tinulungan ako ng aking
magulang tinuruan kung paano mag
alaga tapos di naman ako
pinapabayaan ng aking magulang at
lumapit ako sa Diyos at nagdasal
ako na tulungan mo po ako para
harapin ang mga pagsubok sa buhay
bilang isang pagiging ina.”(My
parents taught me to take care of
my baby, they did not neglect me
and ask help from above, I prayed
to God to help me overcome all
the struggles of being a teenage
mother.)

Seeking spiritual support was the other way of coping mechanism

by the respondents. As they adapt to the world of motherhood, they

face criticism and judgments. Asking support and guidance to God was

their way to deal with their problems and to lessen the stress and

pressure they feel.

In a study about coping mechanisms of expectant and parenting

mothers conducted in Zambia with 27 respondents, both adaptive and

maladaptive approaches have been described as a means of coping,

including fending off depression, helping family, friends, and other

members of the community, confessing one's sins to God, focusing on

the future of one's own and the child, and denying pregnancy or

maternity. Conclusion: Due to unfulfilled requirements related to

adolescence and childbearing, pregnant and parenting teenagers

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

experienced a variety of unfavorable interactions as they transitioned

from youth to adulthood and motherhood (Mumba Lombe et. al, 2018).

PO1: “Ano lang kay God, siyempre

nagpre pray lang po kay God
nilalagay ko lang lahat ng hamon kay
God tapos si baby. Si baby yung
nagiging lakas ko kapag sobrang
pagod nako sukong suko nako si baby
nalang. Parang yung minsan gabi gabi
umiiyak ako gusto ko nalang na gusto
ko nalang mawala. Pero naiisip ko
may baby pala ako e. araw araw may
depression ako pero nilalabanan ko
kasi may baby ako yun po.” (Of
course, I just prayed to God, I just
put all the challenges to God and
then the baby. My baby is my
strength, when I'm so very tired, I
just think of my baby. It's like
when sometimes I cry every night, I
just want to disappear. But I always
think I have a baby. I have
depression every day but I fight it
because I have a baby. that's all.)
PO2: “Pray lang, sige lang sa hamon
ng buhay dahil hindi mo naman ito
matatakasan alangan naman na
ipalaglag ko blessing yun. Tsaka sa
tulong po ng mga magulang ko sila
yung tumulong sa akin noong buntis
ako.” (Keep on praying. That's how
life is, just go on with life's
challenges because you can’t escape
it. I didn't want to abort because
for me he/she is a blessing. I am
grateful my parents are there for me
when I was pregnant.)
PO7: “Agkarkararag nak lang kasjay,
nga italek ko latta kanyanan nga
hanna kami baybayan uray nagsina
kami ajay ama ti anak kon ket
inkarkararag ko lattan nga hanna
kami baybay an. Adda met da mamang
nga sumop suporta nu agkurkurang
kasjay.”(I’m just praying, having
faith in our Lord that he will not
let us suffer even though I got
separated from the father of my
child I still pray to the lord to

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

look into us. And I still have my

supportive parents in time of
crisis.)

Table 04: LESSONS LEARNED FROM EXPERIENCES

STATEMENT OF THE CLUSTER THEMES EMERGENT THEMES

PROBLEM CODES

Giving birth and Transition to motherhood GREAT

labor RESPONSIBILITY
Giving birth
Pregnancy

Bullying Bullying and social

Discrimination discrimination

Obey parents Strengthening communication

Approach parents in with love ones
any problems
Do not seek attention
to others
Prioritize studies

Think before you act Hardship of teenage

Don't rebel parenting
Avoid early marriage
Maternal difficulties

Teenage mothers have faced many challenges and struggles in their

lives, and they have learned that being a mother is not easy.

Parenting as a teenager comes with great responsibilities, including

properly caring for your baby, dealing with people's critical

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

attitudes, and completing education. Our respondents stated that they

learned finishing school or prioritizing college is essential,

strengthening relationships with parents, learning to be responsible

and making decisions were very important.

Teenage Pregnancy remains a major challenge in both developed and

developing countries. Premature and unwanted pregnancies among

adolescents have adverse health, educational, social and economic

consequences. (Joyce N. Mummer, 2019)

Social rejection, on the other hand, means that others have

little incentive to accept you into their friendships and communities

(Leary, 2010). The likelihood that an adolescent mother's life and

goals are adversely affected is reduced by an accepting and supportive

attitude towards her mother (Hermann, 2006).

According to (Mercy and Adunola) argued that immediate family

influences decisions to remain sexually abstinent or become sexually

active. They added that the lack of relationships with parents and the

lack of information about sexual issues allowed outside forces to

become sexually active. Because most parents work to meet the needs of

their families, they rarely discuss sex education with their children.

Adolescents transition to teenage motherhood,The first stage is

confirmed pregnancy to childbirth. Experiencing fear,

denial, shock,Difficulties from labor and guilt, but some of them feel

happy when they hear their baby's first cry.

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

According to the International Journal of Nursing Science, 2019

Women are more vulnerable and face tremendous challenges in the

transition to motherhood. This is exacerbated for young mothers, and

research shows that growing mothers experience the burden of

responsibility as they become mothers.

PO1: "Noong naipanganak ko yung

baby noong narinig ko yung unang
iyak niya yon hindi ko
makakalimutan.” (Giving birth, I
labored for 9 hours and it was
very painful. I just wanted to
lie down; I also wanted to lie on
the cold floor. Then when I gave
birth to the baby when I heard
his first cry that is the moment
I will never forget.)
PO3: "Ang hindi ko makakalimutan
is ano ay yung araw na nagpa
ultrasound na ko at naconfirm ko
nga nabuntis na ko then kahit na
pumasok ako tulala ako sa school
at bigla bigla nalang iiyak tapos
the guilt is too much kaya hindi
ko rin alam kung anong gagawin ko
tapos nasira rin po yung
relationship ko with my mother
ilang buwan niya rin akong hindi
kinausap tapos si papa tinakwil
niya ko sa bahay since noong
nalaman na buntis ako nag stay na
po ako sa mga in laws ko hanggang
ngayon pero ok na po kami ngayon
ng mga magulang ko.”(The day I
won't forget is the day that I
got an ultrasound and confirmed
that I am pregnant. Even though I
went to school I was absent
minded and always cried. I didn't
know what to do. My mother didn't
talk to me for months. My father
didn't permit me to go home so I
stayed at my mother in law's

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

house but now we are OK with each

other.)
PO6: “Adjay lang talaga kwa jay
aglabor ka lang talaga adjay kuma
kayam mu nga aramiden isu lang
kayat mu nga aramiden kasjay nu
madim kaya madim lattan kasjay
lang, makasangit dim ammu nu anya
ububraem nu idi aglabor nakon
kayat ku ulyen idi kwa idin tapnu
maikkat lang sakit na adjay lang
talaga ti pinaka memorable ku
kasta nga talaga. Ay sobra ti
kastak sobra met ti ayat ku a ta
syempre dinaladalam iti 9 months
tapos finally makitam met lang
masilayam met langen adjay
kinarkargam iti 9 months kasla ka
pay ma kwaan nu makitam iti anak
mu.”(The most memorable
experience during my pregnancy is
laboring, those things that I can
do that's the only things I will
do. If I can't do it. I wouldnt
do it. It's tearful when you dont
know what to do. When I
experience labor I want to climb
everywhere to get rid of the pain
and when I deliver my baby I am
very happy because I carried it
in my womb for 9 months and
finally I saw her.)
PO8: "Hindi ko rin po makalimutan
yung paglabas ng baby ko kasi yun
yung una na di ko maipaliwanag
yung nararamdaman ko. Hindi ko
mapaliwanag kung masaya ba ko mix
emotion.”(I can't forget when my
baby came out because that was
the first time I couldn't explain
my feelings. I can't explain if
I'm happy, mix emotion.)

Teenage pregnancy is defined not only as an experience of

physical body changes but also as the embodiment of social norms,

discourses, conflict, and moral judgment. There is growing concern

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

about the psychosocial challenges that adolescent mothers face. Many

of them have been bullied and discriminated against by society, family

and friends.

According to Mpetshwa findings, focusing on seven teenage mothers

found that community members tended to have a wide range of negative

reactions to pregnant teenagers. Some members of the community were

more shocked, while others gossiped about the teens' parents. was even

refused. For many of her teenage parents, a variety of environmental

and behavioral risks contribute to the upbringing of their children.

PO4: “Unang una po si yung

pambubully, yun lang naman po.
Hindi naman po nahirapan
manganak, hindi wala rin po akong
pinaglihian, mainit din po ulo ko
pero minsan minsan lang
po.”(First of all, when I deal
with bullying, that's all. I
didnt have any difficulties when
I delivered my baby, and also
during my pregnancy but once in a
while I'm cranky.)
PO5: “Marami po, pero iyong
minsan po napapadaan kami sa
labas, halos lahat ng tao
nakatingin sa amin. Minsan din
po, may nakasalubong din kaming
mga teachers namin noon. Pero
never kong ikinahiya iyong
nangyari sa amin.” (A lot, but
one time when we passed by
outside, most of the people there
were staring at us.
Sometimes, we bump into our old
teachers but I am never ashamed
of what happened to us.)
PO8: “Siguro yung pangungutya ng
mga tao. Yung pinagtsitsimisan
parang hindi nagaral yung
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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

ginagawa ko. Nakipagligawan o bf

lang ganun."(Maybe it's people's
ridicule. They gossip about ita
like I didn't study. dating or
just having boyfriend like that.)

This focuses on the important changes arising in the context of

pregnancy and motherhood. The teenage mothers realized that it is

important to communicate their needs and problems to their parents,

prioritize studies and don't seek attention from others. Most of them

also learned that obeying their parents prevents them from getting

into the wrong course of life.

Parents played an important role in shaping their children's

values as a result of their relationship with each other. Parents'

beliefs, feelings, principles, and behaviors can be passed on to their

children. improved parent-child relationship quality significantly

reduced the likelihood of female participants being ambivalent about

their pregnancy. (Grissete)

PO2:"Sundin ang mga

magulang"(Always trust and follow
your parents)
PO3:“Kung kailangan mo ng
atensyon ng parents mo ng ganun
katindi, siguro kailangan mo lang
silang i approach knowing parents
kasi ngayong alam ko na ngayong
magulang na ko mahirap talagang
hatiin ang oras mo para sa sarili
mo, para sa anak mo, pagkita ng
pera and lalo na sakin sa pag
aaral kaya kung kailangan mo ng
ganung katinding oras at atensyon
ng pamilya mo I approach sila and
huwag mong hanapin yung atensyon
na hindi nila naibibigay kasi sa
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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

sooner or later ay pagsisihan mo

yun. May mga bagay kang
makakalimutan, at may mga bagay
na hindi mo magagawa dahil dun.”
(If you want the attention of
your parents, just approach them
and tell them how you feel
because now I know that managing
time for yourself and your
children is very hard especially
when you are trying to earn money
and trying to study, just
approach your parents. Don't seek
the attention you crave from them
into others because in the end
you will regret it. There are
things you will forget and things
you cannot do because of it.)
PO4: "Ang gusto ko lang sabihin
sa mga kabataan ngayon is mag-
aral muna sila. Mas maganda pag
yung parents nila sundin nila
yung sinasabi ng parents nila
kasi makakabuti talaga yun hindi
dahil strict sila magrerebelde
kana hindi yun tama kasi gusto
lang naman ng parents natin na
makakabuti yung kaya sila
nagiging strict sa atin kasi para
sa atin din yun tapos masasabi ko
pa mag focus muna na lang muna
sila sa pag aaral kahit maraming
boys dyan na nagpapakilig sa
kanila or nag se set ng
commitment hayaan na muna nila
yon kasi yung love makakapag-
antay for the right time.”(I
wanted to tell all youth that
they should prioritize their
studies first. To obey their
parents because parents know what
is best for their children, if
they are strict it’s not right to
be rebellious, it is because they
only want what is best for us.
They should focus first in their
studies and don’t mind the boys
or even their words of
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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

commitment, ignore them because

love can wait for the right
time.)
PO6: “Ti maibagak lang ket mayat
ti agbalasang nu ma ipapas mu. Ti
kayat ku lang met nga I share ket
agbasa nga masayaat tapnu iti
kasta ket matungtong tayo iti
kayat tayo ta haan tayu nga
magrigrigat narigat nga agbirok
ti trabahu lalo nu di ka
nakagradwar narigat ti awan adal
na lalo nu agpamilya kan syempre
nu haan ka nakaadal awan met
nasayaat nga trabahu I share ku
lang nga agbasa nga nasayaat
tapnu ti kasta kht maka graduar
makaala ti napintas nga trabaho
tapnu han marigatan t biag.”(All
I can say is that it's good to be
a maiden, especially when you
enjoy it. I just want to share or
give a lesson to everyone that
you must study hard so that you
can achieve what you want in life
and it will not be difficult to
find a job. It's hard if you’re
not graduated, especially if you
have your own family because if
you don't graduate there's no
good job either. Again, study
hard so that it is easy for you
to have a good job.)
PO8: "Mag-aral muna kayo habang
may pagasa kayong makapagaral
para balang araw makakahanap kayo
ng magandang trabaho para sa
inyong pamilya. Sabi nga nila
think before you click.” (Study
first while you still have the
chance to continue your studies
so that in the future you will
get into nice job for your
family. As they say think first
before you click.)

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

It focuses on lessons learned from their experiences. Struggling

as parents, they faced the consequences of what they had done,

including new roles, increased expenses, heavy responsibilities, and

maternal difficulties. They recommend that young people who make

studying a priority, think about their actions, DO not rebel and rush

in love.

Young people who face motherhood in their teens may experience a

conflict between their new motherhood and their teenage needs. Early

motherhood experiences are contextual and influenced by the culture

and society in which the teen/woman lives (Moore, Miller et al. 1995).

Teenage pregnancy also affects a girl’s educational and earning

potential. Many girls are forced to drop out of school, ultimately

jeopardizing their futures and economic prospects (UNFPA).

PO1: “Yung ano wag hahayaan na

yung pagrerebelde yung nangunguna
ang dapat isipin na lang muna
nila isipin muna natin yung bawat
kilos may consequences. isang
maling kilos mo lang mabigat na
consequences yung kapalit niya
kaya bilang teenage mom gusto ko
sa mga teenagers ngayon lalo na’t
siyempre napag daanan ko rin yung
pagiging marupok ganon nalang wag
nalang puro ano iniisip. "(Don’t
let rebellion take the lead, they
should just think first, let's
think first that every action has
consequences. just a wrong move
of yours a serious consequence is
the change, so as a teenage mom,
I like teenagers now to know,
especially since of course I’ve
also gone through being fragile,
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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

so just don’t focus on

rashness and incontinence.)
PO2: "huwag mag asawa ng maaga
kasi mahirap ito lalo na kung
walang ka pang sapat na kaalaman
para mag-alaga ng bata at wala
rin sapat ng pera na pangtustos
sa anak"(Don't get married early.
Life is hard; taking care of a
baby is not an easy thing
especially when you do not have
enough knowledge and money to buy
everything, she/he needs.)
PO4: “Yung una po natutunan ko,
hindi pala madaling ang magkaroon
ng family at the age of 18 ganon
or less then lalo na pag wala
yung mama mo dito na tutulong sa
iyo yung kayo kayo lang mahirap
talaga doon mo ma re realize na
mahirap magpalaki ng bata,
mahirap magkaroon ng pamilya,
mahirap kung saan kikitain ang
pera, mahirap as in mahirap na
mahirap. Hmmm, Ultimo self mo
hindi mo siya maalagaan, hindi
kana rin makapag suklay puro na
lang sa baby, sa family, sa
gawaing bahay. "(First is, it’s
not easy to have your own family
at the age of 18 or even younger
especially when your mother is
not around to help or guide you.
It is really hard when you do it
by yourself. At that point you
will realize that it is not easy
to raise a child, it’s hard to
have your family when you’re not
ready, it’s not easy to find
money, and it’s really hard. You
can’t even take care of yourself
already, not even to brush your
own hair, all your time and
attention is focused only on the
baby.) PO5: “Marami po akong mga
aral na natutunan, pero ito
nalang po iyong sasabihin ko.
Mahirap po maging isang batang
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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

ina, pero at the same time

napakasaya kasi nakikita mo iyong
anak mo na bunga ng pagkakamali
mo. Uhm maraming mga pagsubok ang
mapagdadaanan mo, pero worth it
lahat ng iyon kasi may anak ka sa
tabi mo na alam mong nagmamahal
sayo. Hindi ko naman sinasabi na
mag asawa na kayo, pero iba din
talaga kapag nakapag tapos kana
mas magandang mag aral muna bago
mag asawa.” (I have learned a
lot, but this is all I'm going to
share/say. It is hard to be a
young mother/teenage mother, but
at the same time it is very happy
because you can see your baby
which is the result of your
mistake. You will face a lot of
challenges, but it is all worth
it. Because you have your baby
next to you, which you know loves
you very much. I'm not saying
that you must get married now,
because it is still different if
you already finished your
studies, it is still the best to
study first before getting
married/having your own family.)
PO7: “Ajay lang, ajay dapat nu
agaramid da ti desisyon ket
hanlang nga mamin sangapulo da
nga panunuten dapat mamin
sangaribo. Kin maysa nga banag
nu, once nga inaramid mo takderam
han mo nga ipaikkat dapat
takderan da. Kin maysa handa kuma
paylang agay ayat ti pirme kasi
nu once nga mainlove ka ti pirme
hanka makaadal nu kasjay. Dapat
ket agibati ka latta ti sarilim
tapnu hanka maibusan pagdating ti
panahon kasjay lang.” (If they
will make a decision in life,
they should not just think ten
times, but they should think for
a thousand times rather. And
another thing, once you’ve done
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something, take a stand on it. Do

not try to get rid of your
problems in a convenient way,
instead be responsible and take a
stand. Last thing doesn’t fall in
love too much. Because once you
fall in love deeply, you will not
be able to finish your studies.
You must learn how to spare love
for yourself, for you not to feel
empty when the time comes.)

Table 05: OUTCOMES OF EARLY PREGNANCY

STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM CODES CLUSTER THEMES EMERGENT THEMES

Good mother Acceptance of YOUNG MOTHER'S

Full time mother parenting role ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Social appearance and Personal concept of

behavior self
Flexible
Hardworking

Motherhood is a vital and crucial component in every woman's life

and is seen as being essential to a woman's identity. But It has been

determined that teenage motherhood, which occurs at a crucial

developmental moment in teens' lives, has negative social and health

effects. However, as was evident from our respondents' interviews,

they recognized their obligations and accepted the costs of their

acts. Nevertheless, they chose to take a stand in the most important

life decisions because they had a positive perspective of themselves

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

and acknowledged their parental responsibilities. Thus this theme

explains that teenage mothers after giving birth still have a positive

perception of themselves.

They are proud to describe themselves, accept their flaws and

face all their consequences, they believe that they are unique, and

did not feel that they are less human even at the young age they

became a mother.

Future healthcare interventions for adolescent mothers during the

transitional period should aim to provide social support and the

increased ability of adolescent mothers to manage the physical and

psychological challenges of young motherhood and enhance new mothers'

knowledge about caring for babies. (Lisa McKenna, et. al, 2019)

Contemporary conceptions of self-esteem emphasize the person’s

acceptance by self and others, the evaluation of performance, social

comparison, and the efficacy of individual action as the important

roots of self-esteem. The discourse of self-esteem enables the

person’s understanding of individuality versus community, striving for

success versus self-acceptance, or the quest for happiness as a future

state versus contentment with one’s present lot.

In terms of subsequent research, there is evidence that some

adolescent mothers may use their teen pregnancy and motherhood

experiences as motivation to complete their education so that they and

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

their child can have a better future. One of these experiences is

social support, which is defined as "a coping resource that may be

called upon to promote resiliency and cope with the responsibilities

of new motherhood" (Letourneau, Stewart, & Barnfather, 2004, p.

515). Spear (2004) conducted a 12-year follow-up study with two

adolescent mothers to see if their views on early childbearing had

changed since the previous study.

Acceptance of a parenting role is one of the most difficult

decisions a teenage mother can make. The changes that they have to

sacrifice in order to play their new role as a parent. Young mothers

had the difficulty meeting all their responsibili-ties and transition

in becoming a mother; hence they are still incapable and unstable

emotionally, mentally and physically. But behind all these

difficulties, they accepted their parenting role, embraced motherhood

and took actions in nurturing their little one, as was shown in the

responses of our respondents they took responsibility for their

actions.

One of these experiences is social support, which is defined as

"a coping resource that may be called upon to promote resiliency and

cope with the responsibilities of new motherhood" (Letourneau,

Stewart, & Barnfather, 2004, p. 515). There are several ways to

support the programs, including through family, peers, support

materials, and intervention-enabling circumstances (Hess, Papas, &

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

Black, 2002; Letourneau, Stewart, & Barnfather, 2004). Social support

has been demonstrated to improve parents' health while also assisting

parents in coping with the demands of parenthood (Letourneau, Stewart,

& Barnfather, 2004). Teenage mothers may exhibit greater resiliency

due to improved social support from friends, family, school, and the

community as well as a change in their hopes and goals as they enter

adulthood, leading to more concrete educational and professional

objectives (Camarena, Minor, Melmer, & Ferrie, 1998; Smithbattle,

2007).

PO1: “Maano akong mother ano to…

mabait akong mother, ako ay
maalalahanin sa aking 1 year old
na anak. siya ay baby boy” (In
terms of being a mother, I am a
caring mother. I have a baby boy
and he is already One year old.)
PO2: “Uhm sa ngayon po isa akong
full time mom and kasama ko po
iyong boyfriend ko sa
pagtataguyod sa aming kaisa isang
anak. Uhm upang mas maalagaan
siya ng mabuti napag desisyonan
kong huminto muna sa pagaaral
pero papasok narin po ako this
next school year.” (For now, I'm
a full time mom and I'm with my
boyfriend in supporting our only
child. I decided to stop studying
for a while to take care of my
baby, but I will continue my
studies this next school year.)
PO6: “Bilang isang batang ina
masasabi kong mahirap kasi
napapabayaan ko ang aking sarili
pati nga ang pagligo di ko magawa
pati ang pagsusuklay. Hindi ko
naayos ang aking sarili gigising
ako sa hating gabi para magtimpla
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ng gatas ng baby ko at gigising

ako ng maaga sobrang hirap talaga
maging isang maagang ina pero
worth it kasi naalis ang pagod
kapag nakikita ko ang aking anak.
Ugali ko bilang isa ina ay Mabuti
naman po ako, kulot po, mataba,
matangkad, mabait naman po ako.”
(As a teenage mother, it is
really hard because you are
neglecting yourself already, you
dont have time to take a bath and
brush my hair. I can’t fix
myself, and I need to wake up in
the middle of the night to make
milk for my baby, then I still
need to wake up early. It is
really hard to become a mother,
but it's all worth it when I look
at my child because he removes
all my tiredness. As a mother I’m
a good one, I have curly hair,
fat, tall, and kind too.)

Positive self view is an important aspect in becoming a good

teenage parent, knowing their good traits and characteristics are

helpful in becoming young mothers. These personal concepts of

themselves are vital to boost their self esteem and eventually their

confidence, which help them to become a good mother and accept their

role as teenage mothers. The young mothers talked positively about

having children and discussed how it had changed their lives. Given

that they now had a child to care for which helped them in becoming

good mothers and gave them the motivation to change direction and

think about pursuing their studies and keep going in life, but needed

to do something new for a good future for their children. They

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

understood that when their kids grew older, they were still young

enough to pursue more study or different career paths.

Early motherhood experiences are contextual and influenced by the

culture and society in which the teen/woman lives (Moore, Miller et

al. 1995).Contemporary conceptions of self-esteem emphasize the

person’s acceptance by self and others, the evaluation of performance,

social comparison, and the efficacy of individual action as the

important roots of self-esteem. The discourse of self-esteem enables

the person’s understanding of individuality versus community, striving

for success versus self-acceptance, or the quest for happiness as a

future state versus contentment with one’s present lot.

P01: “Sa panlabas na anyo ano ako

payat, medyo maitim, tapos hindi
ako masyadong mapag ayos sa
sarili ko. Tapos sa panloob naman
mabait ako, minsan lang
nagsusungit din. Maano akong
mother ano to... mabait akong
mother.” (In terms of my external
appearance, I am skinny, slightly
tanned and I’m not fond of
grooming myself too much and then
in terms of internal
characteristics, I am kind but
sometimes I am a snob too. In
terms of being a mother, I am a
caring mother. I have a baby boy
and he is already One year old.)
PO2: “Noon mahirap dahil bata pa
kami wala pa kami sa tamang edad
para mag trabaho sa ngayon naman
hindi ko kasama ang anak ko.”
(That's when we were younger we

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

weren't at the right age to work,

right now I wasn't with my son.)
PO3: “Pag appearance po, singkit
uhmm chinita, tapos medyo mahaba
yung buhok, slim tapos sa ugali
po medyo mabait depende sa taong
kausap ko tapos parang regular
lady lang din po.” (In my
appearance, Chinky, my hair is
slightly long, and slim. Then in
my behavior I'm kind depending on
the people I talked to. Then
similar to the regular/normal
lady.) PO4: “Nangisit, naggaget,
madiskarte, maasahan kasjay lang
ken kwa met kasjay lang ading…”
(I have a dark skin complexion,
I'm diligent, good when it comes
to strategy and a reliable
person.) PO5: “Nasingpet, medyo
mataray, nagaget, napudaw,
bassit.” (I am kind, a bit brat,
and hardworking. I’m a petite and
have a fair skin complexion.)
PO6: “Bilang isang batang ina
masasabi kong mahirap kasi
napapabayaan ko ang aking sarili
pati nga ang pagligo di ko magawa
pati ang pagsusuklay. Hindi ko
naayos ang aking sarili gigising
ako sa hating gabi para magtimpla
ng gatas ng baby ko at gigising
ako ng maaga sobrang hirap talaga
maging isang maagang ina pero
worth it kasi naalis ang pagod
kapag nakikita ko ang aking anak.
Ugali ko bilang isa ina ay Mabuti
naman po ako, kulot po, mataba,
matangkad, mabait naman po ako.”
(As a teenage mother, it is
really hard because you are
neglecting yourself already, you
dont have time to take a bath and
even brush my hair. I can’t fix
myself, and I need to wake up in
the middle of the night to make
milk for my baby, then I still
need to wake up early. It is
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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

really hard to become a mother,

but it's all worth it when I look
at my child because he removes
all my tiredness. As a mother I’m
a good one, I have curly hair,
fat, tall, and kind too.)

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Figure 2: CENTRAL PHENOMENON “PREGY”(Personal issues, Rough adjustment,

Enhance connections, Great responsibility, Young mother’s
acknowledgement)

Through careful analysis of the research results, it was found

that the teenage mothers of Centro 3, Lasam Cagayan, dealt with

different personal issues in their lives that influence them to engage

in early sexual activity. Teenagers’ personal dilemma such as having a

poor relationship with their parents, being in a bad circle of

friends, lack of financial resources, and inability to study are the

main reasons we found that has the biggest contribution in our teenage

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

mother’s situation. Poor parent and child relationship has a great

contribution to the early pregnancy of our respondents in this study.

Teenagers is the most vulnerable age group as adolescence is very

curious and didn’t hesitate to try new things, without guidance and

good communication with their parents they are vulnerable to peer

influence. Parental guidance and involvement prevent the likelihood

of becoming a teenage mother. Most of our respondents found comfort

from their friends which taught them to engage in a certain thing

without their parent’s awareness. Lack of parental guidance and

financial support makes teenagers more susceptible to dropping out

from school thus preventing them in achieving their dreams.

Variety of physical, psychological, emotional and social

challenges was experienced by the respondents. Teen mothers are less

likely to complete school after an early pregnancy. A woman must

balance personal desires with general concerns about her child's

welfare during the major life transition of motherhood. The best time

to become pregnant is when a woman is physically, emotionally,

spiritually, and financially prepared, which adolescent mothers are

clearly not. Many adjustments must be made by new mothers, including

physiological, sociological, and financial ones. Because a teen

pregnancy is usually unplanned, people react differently to the

experience. Teen moms forced to confront their enormous

responsibilities as a young parent have stripped them of their social

lives, being a teen mom can be difficult and a number of participants

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

talked about being criticized by society. Early motherhood is often

marred by feelings of loss and not getting a good job. The adolescent

must deal with adulthood's unexpected demands, as well as the

disapproval and dissatisfaction expressed by significant others such

as parents and relatives.

One of respondents' coping mechanisms during the transition to

motherhood was to rely on family and friends. They share their

thoughts and feelings and listen to the advice they give. As shown on

the figure above teenage mothers rely on their loved ones for support.

Their family serves as their source of strength to continue their

lives. They strengthen their faith as God gave our respondent’s hope

to overcome the challenges they been through. Seeking emotional

support was another respondent's coping mechanism. As they adjust to

the world of motherhood, they face criticism and judgment. Asking God

for support and guidance is how they deal with problems and relieve

the stress and pressure they feel. They have learned to strengthen

family relationships through family development sessions as a way to

prevent conflicts as well as the possibility of early teenage

pregnancy.

Teenage mothers have a Great Responsibility. They had to give up

sleep, money, and time. Many adolescent mothers go through abrupt

lifestyle changes. One of the most important responsibilities of a

teen mother is to be able to raise their child safely in a healthy and

peaceful environment. Provide food, clothing, shelter, and medical

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

attention. Second, how she responds to other people's judgments, or

how she acts in all situations, particularly social criticism. In any

situation, they must remain calm and think more maturely as parents.

Discrimination motivates them to be stronger rather than depressed.

Finally, through their experiences they learned the importance of

education and to strengthen communication and relationships with

parents because they are the ones who provide financial and emotional

support. They emphasize to always obey your parents for you to have a

better future.

Every woman's life has their own identity, and some revolves

around motherhood, which is viewed as being essential to a woman's

existence. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that teen motherhood,

which happens at a crucial stage in life development, has detrimental

social and health impacts. However, as was clear from the interviews

with our respondents, they understood their responsibilities and

accepted the price for their actions. Since they had a positive self-

perception and recognized their parenting duties, they made the

decision to stand their ground in the most crucial life decisions.

We, as researchers, therefore, conclude that the lived

experiences of teenage mothers of Centro 3 Lasam Cagayan is difficult

and a serious matter, Despite the difficulties and not being prepared

of the outcomes they manage to accept and embrace motherhood that

requires great responsibility, parenting and economic support.

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

According to Macleod and Durrheim (2003), teenage pregnancy is a

social problem, associated with school disruption, poor obstetric

outcomes, inadequate motherhood, poor child outcomes, and poor

relationships with relatives, partners, and peers. Difficulties,

leading to demographic concerns about population growth. Adolescents’

likelihood of having unprotected sex, pregnancy and childbirth are

strongly correlated with several risk factors. These factors included

growing up in a single-parent household, living in a poor and/or high-

poverty neighborhood, poor school attachment and performance, and low

parental education levels (Moore, Miller et al. al. 1995).

The adjustment to parenting is much harder for women because of

their greater vulnerability. Young women are particularly affected by

this, and research demonstrates that growing mothers feel the weight

of duty as they become mothers. (2019's International Journal of

Nursing Science). Due to unfulfilled requirements related to

adolescence and childbearing, pregnant and parenting teenagers

experienced a variety of unfavorable interactions and stress this

enlightens them to seek God for guidance as they transitioned from

youth to adulthood and motherhood. (Mumba Lombe et. al, 2018). Through

this type of coping mechanism, they reduce anxiety and stress that can

later affect them and their children. Social support has been

demonstrated to improve parents' health while also assisting parents

in coping with the demands of parenthood (Letourneau, Stewart, &

Barnfather, 2004).

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

In terms of subsequent research, there is evidence that some

adolescent mothers may use their teen pregnancy and motherhood

experiences as motivation to complete their education so that they and

their child can have a better future. One of these experiences is

social support, which is defined as "a coping resource that may be

called upon to promote resiliency and cope with the responsibilities

of new motherhood" (Letourneau, Stewart, & Barnfather, 2004, p. 515).

In light of this, this theme explains why teenage moms who have

recently given birth still maintain a favorable opinion of themselves.

They are confident in how they present themselves, accept their

imperfections and deal with the repercussions. As these young mothers

experienced the transitional period that aim to provide social support

and the increased ability to manage physical and psychological

challenges of young motherhood and enhance new mothers' knowledge

about caring for babies. (Lisa McKenna, et. al, 2019).

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CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the conclusions and recommendations which

were being derived and interpreted after analyzing the result of the

data that were presented in the previous chapter.

Summary of Findings

There are the factors encountered by the teenage mother are lack

of attention and poor communication from their parents, peer pressure,

living in poverty, not attending school and engaging to unprotected

sexual intimacy.

As they entered the stage of motherhood, there were many

challenges they encountered, as a consequence of their early

pregnancy. Majority of the respondents expressed increasing

responsibility as one of the main challenges and described it as

several responsibilities, lack of time and energy, and restriction on

spending for self-interests. Following childbirth, they were faced

with a sharp increase in workload. Therefore, they experienced

physical and mental fatigue. Some experienced bullying and criticism

in their community. It was difficult for them to meet the multiple

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

needs of their child. They experienced postpartum depression and some

weren't able to overcome this situation. Most of them lack financial

support and as they did not continue their education and remained

unemployed. Some of the teenage mothers in this study did not receive

sufficient support.

As their coping strategies on the challenges in becoming a

teenage mother, most of them receive support from their parents, loved

ones and friends as the option they have in order to survive. Lastly,

they also strengthen their relationship to God as one of the key

factors in facing their life struggles that enabled them to cope

adequately with pregnancy and subsequent motherhood.

Their mistakes taught them so many lessons in life, such as

obeying their parents, listening to their advice and not letting peer

pressure overcome them. They also emphasized prioritizing studies

rather than engaging in early pregnancy. Majority of them advise the

younger generation to think before acting to avoid making wrong

decisions in life.

The outcome of becoming a teenage mother involves being a full

time mom and working hard to provide the needs of their child.

Embracing their role as a mother they learn to be flexible in any

circumstances that they encounter that made them tough. Young mother’s

recognized their obligations and accepted their parenting role.

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

Conclusion

The researcher concludes that teenage mothers experienced many

physical, psychological, emotional and social challenges. Teenage

mothers have less possibility to finish their studies after engaging

to early pregnancy. Taking care of the baby and providing financial

assistance are challenges they encountered and tried to cope up.

Teenage mothers are force to face their responsibilities as a young

mother that made them lose their social life, being a teenage mother

can be difficult and many participants spoke of having inadequate

social support. Recommendation

This study encourages all teenagers living in Centro 3, Lasam,

Cagayan to read and learn about early pregnancy. This helps them

understand, learn, and recognize the effects and realize of early

intercourse. What her teen has read about being a teen parent isn’t as

great as it sounds. No one wants to be a parent when they are

teenagers. Young people do not have a proper education and some young

people do not know what they want to do with their lives. The study

recommends that governments and other funding bodies identify pregnant

women's needs and provide financial support for vocational training.

Teenage mothers who choose to pursue vocational training must receive

seed money from governments, funding groups, and parents so that they

can acquire the resources they need to start their own businesses.

Prioritizing parent-child conversations can help girls resist sexual

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MEDICAL COLLEGES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF NURSING

temptation. Schools and community forums should be developed to

educate girls about sexual attraction and reproductive health. Future

studies on the same problem in different locations should use

different strategies and cover larger cohorts of teenage mothers.

81