| Author: | Lam, Pui-ling |
| Title: | Decision making on pregnancy resolution among Hong Kong teenagers |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2010 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations Teenage pregnancy -- Psychological aspects -- China -- Hong Kong |
| Department: | School of Nursing |
| Pages: | vi, 86 p. ; 30 cm. |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | The situation of the pregnant teenagers and the possible negative impacts bring about by teenage pregnancy in Hong Kong is worrying. However, there are very few Hong Kong studies on teenage pregnancy resolution decision making. Therefore, it is worthwhile to conduct a study to gain insight and understanding about pregnancy resolution decision from the perspectives of pregnant adolescents so to develop knowledge that is useful to nurses to offer advice and support to pregnant adolescents and their families about pregnancy resolution. A qualitative approach was adopted with a purposive sample of 9 Hong Kong Chinese women who had experience of pregnancy during teenage recruited from one Maternal and Child Health Centre. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore their decision making on pregnancy resolution. The results showed that those who resolved their pregnancy by abortion usually had 'relatively better' relationship with their family and took their parents' advice and did not have a solid relationship with their boyfriend. They were not ready to be a mother. They also placed lower values on "life". Those who resolved their pregnancy by parenting usually believed that they have 'good enough' relationship with their boyfriend to take up parenting. They stressed that parenting the baby was their responsibility. They also showed respect to life. Adoption was seldom an option for the teenagers in Hong Kong. For those who had chosen abortion or adoption, some had experienced emotional stress after resolved pregnancy. The study results highlighted the need for nurses to provide detail information and to help pregnant adolescents to make an informed personal choice on pregnancy resolution. There was also a need to conduct psychological assessment of pregnant teenagers before and after pregnancy resolution and provide support if necessary. As the practical ability of rearing the baby like child care and providing family finance was crucial in parenting, while single teenage mothers usually lack such support from their social network, community nurses could play a role in providing information like government allowances, child care services to teenage mothers and in referring them to appropriate services. School and community programs on outcomes of teenage pregnancy and the possible consequence of various options for adolescents and their parents are helpful in preparing them to face such challenges. Sex education to include knowledge on sexuality (like love and relationships) and contraception could help adolescents to understand their responsibility and take control over their sexual behavior and prevent pregnancy and subsequent negative consequence. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b23526555.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 1.83 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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