Teen Mothers' Experience of Intimate Partner Violence

A Metasynthesis

Bekaert, Sarah MSc; SmithBattle, Lee PhD

City University, London, UK (Ms Bekaert); and St Louis University, St Louis, Missouri (Dr SmithBattle).

Correspondence: Sarah Bekaert, MSc, Child Health Lecturer, City University, London, UK ([email protected]).

We wish to acknowledge Mary M. Krieger, MLIS, RN for her assistance in developing the search strategy.The authors have disclosed that they have no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this article.

Advances in Nursing Science39(3):p 272-290, July/September 2016. |DOI:10.1097/ANS.0000000000000129

Abstract

Pregnant and parenting teens suffer higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) than older mothers. This qualitative metasynthesis explores teen mothers' experience with IPV during pregnancy and postpartum. Organized by the metaphor of a web, findings highlight how pervasive violence during childhood contributes to teen pregnancy and the risk of IPV as violence is normalized. The web constricts through the partner's control as violence emerges or worsens with pregnancy. Young mothers become increasingly isolated, and live with the physical and psychological consequences of IPV. Trauma-informed nursing practice is needed to support teen mothers in violent intimate relationships to spin a new web.