1.

Why did you choose the title "Growing Up and Raising a Child: The Complex Realities
of Teenage Motherhood"?

Answer: We chose this title because it reflects the dual experience of teenage mothers who
must navigate both adolescence and parenthood simultaneously. It highlights the complexities
they face, including social, emotional, and financial challenges.

2. Why Did You Choose This Topic as a Study?

Answer: We chose the topic "Growing Up and Raising a Child: The Complex Realities of
Teenage Motherhood" because of the following:

Relevance to Public Health and Nursing

• Teenage pregnancy is a public health concern that affects both maternal and child health.
• Understanding teenage mothers' experiences helps nurses and healthcare providers develop
better maternal and child health interventions.
• It aligns with our goal as nursing students to promote holistic healthcare, including mental,
emotional, and social well-being.

High Incidence of Teenage Pregnancy in Dagupan City

• Dagupan City has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in Region I, as reported by CPD-I
(Commission on Population and Development - Region I).
• Teenage mothers often face financial difficulties, educational disruptions, and social stigma,
which we wanted to explore in depth.

Lack of Qualitative Research on Teenage Mothers' Lived Experiences

• Many studies focus on statistics and causes of teenage pregnancy, but few explore personal
experiences. Our study humanizes the issue by capturing the challenges, emotions, and coping
mechanisms of teenage mothers.

Personal and Societal Impact

• Teenage motherhood affects not just the young mothers, but also their families, communities,
and the healthcare system.
By understanding their struggles, we can propose better support systems, policies, and
healthcare interventions.

Motivation to Reduce Teenage Pregnancy Cases

• We hope that our findings will contribute to awareness programs, reproductive health
education, and community support initiatives.
Educators, policymakers, and healthcare providers can use our study to develop better
strategies to assist teenage mothers.

3. How is your study relevant to nursing and healthcare?

Answer: This study helps healthcare providers understand the challenges teenage mothers
face, allowing them to develop better prenatal, postnatal, and mental health support systems. It
also emphasizes the need for improved reproductive health education.

4. What key findings from your literature review support your study?

Answer:
Teenage pregnancy rates remain high in the Philippines despite a global decline (UNFPA,
2020).

Dagupan City has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Region I, largely due to
socio-economic factors and lack of sexual education (Sunday Punch, 2024).

Teenage motherhood is associated with health risks, including preterm births, low birth
weight, and postpartum depression (Maheshwari et al., 2022).

Social stigma and lack of support worsen the experiences of teenage mothers, making
them more vulnerable to mental health issues (Diaz & Fiel, 2016).

5. How does your study differ from previous research?

Answer: Unlike studies that focus on the causes and prevention of teenage pregnancy, our
research explores the lived experiences of teenage mothers. We provide a qualitative
perspective that captures their emotional, psychological, and social realities.

6. What theoretical framework guided your research?

Answer: We used the Phenomenological Approach, which aims to understand individuals'

lived experiences. This framework allowed us to deeply explore how teenage mothers perceive
their realities and how they cope with challenges.
7. Why did you choose a qualitative research design?

Answer: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach allowed us to explore the

personal experiences of teenage mothers in detail. This method is appropriate because it
captures their thoughts, feelings, and perceptions, which cannot be quantified.

8. How did you select your participants?

Answer: We used purposive sampling and included teenage mothers aged 13-19 years old,
who have been raising their child for at least one year and are still living with their parents. This
ensures that participants have meaningful experiences to share.

9. What were the challenges in data collection, and how did you address them?
Answer:
Challenge: Some participants were hesitant to share their experiences due to stigma.
Solution: We built rapport, ensured confidentiality, and conducted interviews in a safe and
private environment.

Challenge: Scheduling conflicts due to participants' responsibilities as mothers.

Solution: We allowed flexible interview schedules.

10. What are the key themes that emerged from your study?

Answer:
Emotional and Psychological Struggles – Many teenage mothers experience loneliness,
depression, and anxiety.

Financial Difficulties – Most teenage mothers are financially dependent on their parents.
Educational Disruptions – Many had to stop schooling, affecting their future career
opportunities.

Coping Mechanisms – Support from family, faith, and personal resilience help them manage
their situation.

12. How do your findings align with previous studies?

Answer: Our findings support research by Mangeli et al. (2017), which states that teenage
mothers experience identity struggles, mental health challenges, and social stigma. However,
we also found that many teenage mothers demonstrate resilience and determination to improve
their lives, which is a perspective that is less explored in prior studies.
13. What are the practical implications of your study?

Answer: Our study highlights the need for:

Better access to sexual education to prevent teenage pregnancies.

Psychosocial support programs to help teenage mothers cope with emotional stress.

Flexible educational programs to allow them to continue their studies while raising a child.

14. What policy recommendations do you suggest?

Answer:
Incorporate Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE) in schools to educate teenagers about
reproductive health.

Strengthen community-based support programs to assist young mothers emotionally and

financially.

Improve access to maternal healthcare services for adolescent mothers.

15. What are the limitations of your study?

Answer:
The study is limited to teenage mothers in Dagupan City, so findings may not be
generalizable to other areas.
It focuses only on single mothers living with their parents, excluding those who are married
or independent.
The small sample size limits the breadth of perspectives.

16. What future research do you recommend?

Answer:
●​ A longitudinal study to track how teenage mothers adapt over time.
●​ Research on the experiences of teenage fathers, as their perspective is often
overlooked.
●​ A comparative study between teenage mothers in urban vs. rural settings.
17. What did you learn from conducting this research?
Answer: We learned that teenage motherhood is not just a social issue but a deeply personal
journey filled with challenges and resilience. It reinforced the importance of compassionate
healthcare, education, and policy support for young mothers.

18. If you could redo this study, what would you change?

Answer:
Expand our sample size to include a more diverse group of teenage mothers.
Include teenage fathers to gain a broader understanding of early parenthood.
Investigate long-term impacts by following participants over time.

19. How did you determine that data saturation was reached?

Answer:
We determined data saturation by conducting and analyzing interviews until no new themes
emerged. Once recurring patterns and themes were evident in the responses, we concluded
that data saturation had been reached.

20. What challenges did you face in reaching data saturation?

Answer:
•Some participants provided short or limited responses, requiring us to ask follow-up questions
to gain deeper insights.

•Scheduling conflicts made it difficult to conduct interviews efficiently.

•The emotional nature of the topic led some participants to be hesitant in sharing their full
experiences.

21. What would you do if data saturation had not been reached?

If data saturation had not been reached, we would have:

•Increased the number of participants beyond 10.
•Revisited existing interview data to identify gaps.
•Conducted follow-up interviews with current participants to clarify or expand on key themes.
22. Can you explain the meaning of "Growing Up and Raising a Child" in your study?

Answer:
In our study, "Growing Up and Raising a Child" refers to the dual experience of teenage mothers
who must transition into adulthood while simultaneously taking on parental responsibilities. It
highlights the conflict between personal growth and caregiving that these young mothers face.

23. What do you mean by "Complex Realities of Teenage Motherhood"?

Answer:
The "Complex Realities of Teenage Motherhood" encompass the multifaceted challenges faced
by teenage mothers, including financial instability, educational disruptions, emotional struggles,
social stigma, and lack of support. These complexities make their journey different from that of
older, more established mothers.

24. How Did You Ensure That the Research Is Not Biased?

Answer: To ensure that our research was objective and free from bias, we followed these
strategies:

• We employed a descriptive phenomenological approach, which requires researchers to set

aside personal biases and focus on participants' lived experiences.

• We followed Giorgi’s method of analysis, ensuring that findings were based on participants'
narratives rather than our interpretations.

• We used bracketing to separate our personal beliefs and assumptions from the research
process. Before conducting interviews, we acknowledged and documented any potential biases,
ensuring they did not influence data collection or analysis.

• During interviews, we used open-ended, neutral questions to allow participants to express their
experiences freely without researcher influence. We avoided suggestive or judgmental wording
that could bias responses.

• We ensured informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation, reducing the risk of
participant coercion or social desirability bias. Participants were encouraged to speak openly,
knowing their identities and responses would be protected.

25. What Is the Significance of the Study and Its Impact on Us?
Answer: The findings will have a direct impact on the following:

Impact on Nursing Students (Ourselves)

• As future nurses, this study deepens our understanding of teenage maternal health, allowing
us to provide better care and emotional support for young mothers.
• It enhances our empathy and communication skills, making us more culturally competent in
dealing with vulnerable populations.
• It prepares us to advocate for reproductive health education and maternal care improvements
in clinical practice.

Significance to Teenage Mothers

• It provides a platform for teenage mothers to share their lived experiences, allowing their
voices to be heard.
• The findings can be used to develop better social support systems, reducing stigma and
promoting mental well-being.
• It helps teenage mothers identify effective coping mechanisms to navigate both adolescence
and parenthood.

Significance to Healthcare Providers

• Nurses and midwives can use the findings to develop more compassionate, patient-centered
care plans.
• It emphasizes the need for teen-friendly reproductive health programs and mental health
support in hospitals and clinics.
• The study highlights common maternal health risks associated with teenage pregnancy,
helping healthcare professionals enhance prenatal and postnatal care.

Significance to Educators and Schools

• Schools can use this research to design more flexible learning programs for teenage mothers.
• It advocates for the inclusion of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) to prevent early
pregnancies.
• Teachers and guidance counselors can develop better intervention strategies for students at
risk of early pregnancy.

Significance to Policymakers and Social Workers

• Findings can guide the development of government policies and community programs to
support young mothers.
• It highlights the need for accessible childcare services, financial assistance, and skill-building
programs for teenage mothers.
• The study can contribute to reducing the cycle of poverty by addressing the educational and
employment challenges teenage mothers face.

Significance to Society
• It raises awareness about the realities of teenage pregnancy, reducing stigma and
discrimination.
• The study encourages community involvement in supporting young mothers, fostering a more
inclusive and understanding environment.
• It promotes a shift in societal attitudes, recognizing teenage mothers as individuals who need
support rather than judgment.