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Teenagers’ Experiences of Pregnancy and the Parents’ and Partners’ Reactions: A Malaysian Perspective

  • PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES: RESPONSES TO VICTIMIZATION AND VIOLENCE
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Abstract

This study focuses on the experiences of unwed teenage mothers in Malaysia in respect to the reactions of their parents and the fathers of their babies and how the reactions from significant others influence these unwed teenage mothers. The investigation was based on content analysis of interviews with 17 unwed teenage mothers, aged 12 to 18 years, during their probation or placement in shelter houses. The results show that most unwed teenage mothers became pregnant as a result of rape or statutory rape, and thus were at risk of developing mental health problems. Three themes were developed: secrecy, repression, and rejection. Four additional themes—feeling detached, trapped, unworthy, and ambiguous—were developed to describe the teenagers’ experiences of pregnancy.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and by Umeå University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Work, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden

    Nor Jana Saim & Mona Dufåker

  2. School of Psychology and Human Development, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia

    Nor Jana Saim

  3. Department of Social Work; Research Unit at the Police Academy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

    Mehdi Ghazinour

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  1. Nor Jana Saim
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  2. Mona Dufåker
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  3. Mehdi Ghazinour
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Correspondence to Nor Jana Saim.

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Saim, N.J., Dufåker, M. & Ghazinour, M. Teenagers’ Experiences of Pregnancy and the Parents’ and Partners’ Reactions: A Malaysian Perspective. J Fam Viol 29, 465–472 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-014-9595-4

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