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A hopeful future: a qualitative investigation of positive psychological functioning in young mothers.

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Title: A hopeful future: a qualitative investigation of positive psychological functioning in young mothers.
Authors: Hinz, Angela (AUTHOR), Solomon, Breanna (AUTHOR), Redsell, Melissa (AUTHOR), Wenham, Kathryn (AUTHOR), O' Connor, Lynette (AUTHOR), Mulgrew, Kate E. (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology. Mar2026, Vol. 44 Issue 2, p574-594. 21p.
Subjects: Childbirth & psychology, Attitudes toward pregnancy, Psychological resilience, Fear, Support groups, Qualitative research, Self-efficacy, Research funding, Positive psychology, Teenage mothers, Interviewing, Compassion, Attitudes of mothers, Descriptive statistics, Psychological well-being, Emotions, Uncertainty, Families, Family relations, Goal (Psychology), Thematic analysis, Attitude (Psychology), Psychology of mothers, Research methodology, Conceptual structures, Motherhood, Social support, Data analysis software, Change, Interpersonal relations, Community services, Psychosocial functioning, Psychosocial factors, Hope, Offensive behavior, Social stigma, Self-perception, Access to information, Social isolation, Friendship, Adults
Geographic Terms: Australia
Abstract: Aims/Background: Young mothers have reported facing specific challenges such as stigmatisation and social isolation, which may be exaggerated by the increasing maternal age in industrialised countries. Despite these challenges, some young mothers have been shown to exhibit resilience and confidence during the transition to parenthood. Using strength-based psychological concepts, this study aimed to identify the facilitators of and barriers to the development of positive psychological states in young Australian mothers. Design/Methods: Using semi-structured interview questions, 11 women who had given birth between 15 and 22 were asked to share their experiences of pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. Their responses were analysed using the Framework method; initially coding the data to a priori themes such as resilience and social support, and then to higher order themes. Results: Five higher order themes were developed from participant responses: 1. Everything is about to change, 2. Disrespected and disempowered, 3. Resilience, 4. It takes a village, and 5. A hopeful future. Across these themes, participants described the mixed emotional experiences of pregnancy and birth, experiences of stigma from various sources, efforts to maintain mental wellbeing, reliance on support networks, and aspirations for themselves and their children. Conclusion: Findings from the current study highlight several key strategies for managing the challenges of early motherhood and promoting positive psychological states. Recommendations include fostering self-efficacy, supporting identity development, and establishing strong support networks across social and healthcare contexts. Recognizing and celebrating the strengths of young mothers is essential for effectively supporting them through the complex experience of motherhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: A hopeful future: a qualitative investigation of positive psychological functioning in young mothers.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hinz%2C+Angela%22">Hinz, Angela</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Solomon%2C+Breanna%22">Solomon, Breanna</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Redsell%2C+Melissa%22">Redsell, Melissa</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wenham%2C+Kathryn%22">Wenham, Kathryn</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22O'+Connor%2C+Lynette%22">O' Connor, Lynette</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mulgrew%2C+Kate+E%2E%22">Mulgrew, Kate E.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Reproductive+%26+Infant+Psychology%22">Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology</searchLink>. Mar2026, Vol. 44 Issue 2, p574-594. 21p.
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  Data: Aims/Background: Young mothers have reported facing specific challenges such as stigmatisation and social isolation, which may be exaggerated by the increasing maternal age in industrialised countries. Despite these challenges, some young mothers have been shown to exhibit resilience and confidence during the transition to parenthood. Using strength-based psychological concepts, this study aimed to identify the facilitators of and barriers to the development of positive psychological states in young Australian mothers. Design/Methods: Using semi-structured interview questions, 11 women who had given birth between 15 and 22 were asked to share their experiences of pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. Their responses were analysed using the Framework method; initially coding the data to a priori themes such as resilience and social support, and then to higher order themes. Results: Five higher order themes were developed from participant responses: 1. Everything is about to change, 2. Disrespected and disempowered, 3. Resilience, 4. It takes a village, and 5. A hopeful future. Across these themes, participants described the mixed emotional experiences of pregnancy and birth, experiences of stigma from various sources, efforts to maintain mental wellbeing, reliance on support networks, and aspirations for themselves and their children. Conclusion: Findings from the current study highlight several key strategies for managing the challenges of early motherhood and promoting positive psychological states. Recommendations include fostering self-efficacy, supporting identity development, and establishing strong support networks across social and healthcare contexts. Recognizing and celebrating the strengths of young mothers is essential for effectively supporting them through the complex experience of motherhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=191615628
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/02646838.2024.2401831
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 21
        StartPage: 574
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Childbirth & psychology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attitudes toward pregnancy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological resilience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fear
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Support groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self-efficacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research funding
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Positive psychology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teenage mothers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interviewing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Compassion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attitudes of mothers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological well-being
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Emotions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Uncertainty
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Families
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Family relations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Goal (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attitude (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychology of mothers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research methodology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Conceptual structures
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Motherhood
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social support
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Data analysis software
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Change
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal relations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Community services
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychosocial functioning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychosocial factors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hope
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Offensive behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social stigma
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self-perception
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Access to information
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social isolation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Friendship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adults
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Australia
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: A hopeful future: a qualitative investigation of positive psychological functioning in young mothers.
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              Text: Mar2026
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              Y: 2026
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