Abstract
The purpose of this study was to elucidate the transition of cognitive appraisals through the interpersonal relationships in stressful life events among Japanese adolescent pregnant women. At 1 to 4 months after delivery, 10 Japanese adolescent primiparous women 17 or 18 years of age were asked to describe stressful life events before delivery by drawing a lifeline. Subsequently, we conducted a semi-structured interview. The data obtained were qualitatively and inductively analyzed. Most of adolescent pregnant women made cognitive appraisals that they were bewildered first by their noting unexpected pregnancy signs for the reason of maintaining the relationship with their partners preferentially. Then, they counted on their mothers for help and wavered with others until they reached agreement on childbirth after definitive diagnosis of pregnancy by the physician. Finally, they improved their cognitive appraisals that they adapted themselves to the life events by trial and error for formation of a new family after living with their partners and partners' parents. Healthcare professionals must examine the cognitive appraisals through the interpersonal relationships in stressful life events in a timely manner, communicate with them considering their feelings, and support to the key persons in the adolescent women's lives.
