Resilient adolescent mothers: Ethnographaic interviews.

Abstract

This paper describes the strengths and resiliencies of successful adolescent mothers and raises important questions for our ongoing collaborative conversations about nonmarital teenage parenthood. A qualitative research study inspired by the Wolin Resiliency Model employed ethnographic interviews to determine successful adolescent mothers perceptions of their strengths. Strength-based interviews were found to be a powerful intervention with these participants. A strong sense of insight combined with initiative healthy relationships and a rebellious determination to prove she was not doomed to failure were found to be the ingredients for success. Professionals who work with pregnant and parenting teens and their families will find these results augment their clinical work and enhance their programs. (authors)