An exploration of the effect of motherhood on adolescents' participation in meaningful occupations.

The transition into motherhood can be a stressful experience for women of any age however, evidence suggests that adolescent mothers emotionally adapt to and experience this transition differently from adult mothers. While there is an abundance of knowledge from the United Kingdom (UK) on adolescent mothers including the adverse effects on their children, reducing adolescent pregnancy and teaching parenting methods to adolescents, there is limited evidence on adolescent mothers postpartum. Literature surrounding exertion, loss of occupations and mental health issues postpartum for the mothers themselves is lacking despite the UK having higher rates of adolescent mothers relative to the rest of Europe. Through examination of literature prominent areas became evident. The mental health of adolescent mothers was a key area, with adolescents reported to be at an elevated risk for suffering from Postpartum Depression (PPD). Social support and social circumstances are linked to PPD and research suggests these elements contribute to this increased risk. The time-use of adolescents dramatically changes once they become mothers with their time being taken up with tasks they feel should be important and a loss of occupations which are meaningful to them. There is a lack of literature linking time-use and loss of occupations with PPD however the philosophy of occupational therapy believes occupational engagement to be a contributing factor to a quality of life. Therefore the proposed research plans to utilise phenomenology to explore the impacts of motherhood on adolescents' engagement in meaningful occupations. In addition the meaning adolescent mothers hold for occupations and whether there is a potential role for occupational therapists with this vulnerable group will be explored.bsc_occunpub1501_ethesesunpu