LEVEL OF STRESS AND COPING MECHANISM OF ADOLESCENT

MOTHERS DURING THEIR FIRST PREGNANCY IN BORONGAN CITY

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This Chapter presents the ideas, generalizations and related literature and

studies after a compendious and in-depth search accomplished by the

researchers. This will also present important terms for better comprehension

of the study.

Materal Stress

Todd, N. (2022) Stated that Everyone has stress even when you’re

pregnant. Studies have shown that anxiety during pregnancy is a risk factor

for earlier birth. A 2022 research headed by Dunkel Schetter discovered that

pregnant women who expressed anxiety about their pregnancy, baby, and

birth were more likely to have shorter pregnancies. According to her, these

findings demonstrate that worry is physically significant and can influence

when a person gives birth. Physical changes, hormonal changes (which are

frequently linked to abrupt mood swings), and pregnancy-specific worry, such

as dread of the integrity of the unborn child or fear of pain during birth, are

additional stressors that pregnant women must deal with. Young age, low

socioeconomic level, lack of education, sexual abuse, unintended pregnancy,

single status, inadequate prenatal or postpartum preparation, depression

symptoms, and a history of mental illness are all known to have detrimental

effects according to Valsamakis, G. Chrousos, G. Mastorakos, G. (2019).

As mentioned by Obrochta, C. et al (2020), Depression, stress, and

anxiety are common in pregnant women and often occur together. From a

total of 288 women studied, 21.2% and 26.7% had signs of pregnancy and

postnatal psychiatric distress, respectively. Out of those who had antenatal

psychological suffering, 43 (70.5%) also had postnatal psychological difficulty.

On at least two measures, 25 (41%) out of those with antenatal and 46 (60%)

out of those with postnatal psychological distress showed comorbidity.

Prenatal measures were independently predictive of the postnatal measures,

while prenatal anxiety was predictive of postpartum stress. The scale revealed

that more stress, anxiety, and rates of developing depression were found

among those women who had encountered various prenatal psychological

distress.

Maternal symptomatology during pregnancy is a major risk factor for

mothers and children according to Smorti, Ponti and Tani (2019). Thus, they

conducted a study on 167 pregnant women recruited in the third trimester of

gestation. The findings revealed that maternal psychopathological symptoms

during pregnancy pose a considerable danger to the newborn's health.

Prenatal anxiety and depression, in particular, have a significant impact on the

clinical features of the labor experience, as well as the Apgar score. The

primary goal of their study is to jointly examine the function of mother

derpression and anxiety during pregnancy on the newborn’s well-being via

their effects on the clinical feartures of labor.

 However, it is unclear if prenatal psychological suffering precedes

postpartum psychological anguish according to Obrochta, C. A., Chambers,

C., & Bandoli, G. (2020), They examined mother depression, stress, and

anxiety during the whole course of pregnancy; its prevalence; comorbidity;

and correlations of those variables during the postpartum phase. From a

total of 288 women studied, 21.2% and 26.7% had signs of pregnancy and

postnatal psychiatric distress, respectively. Out of those who had antenatal

psychological suffering, 43 (70.5%) also had postnatal psychological difficulty.

On at least two measures, 25 (41%) out of those with antenatal and 46 (60%)

out of those with postnatal psychological distress showed comorbidity.

Prenatal measures were independently predictive of the postnatal measures,

while prenatal anxiety was predictive of postpartum stress. The scale revealed

that more stress, anxiety, and rates of developing depression were found

among those women who had encountered various prenatal psychological

distress.

A study led by Daire, A. et. al (2019) shows that participation in

Relationship education significantly reduce stress for expectant mothers. 91

pregnant women (64.8% racial or ethnic minorities) took part in a community-

based RE program. According to the results of the pre- and post-intervention

relationship assessment scales, as well as the parental stress and coping

inventory, the RE intervention increased relationship satisfaction, decreased

parental distress, and improved social and family-based support among

participants. As a result, using RE as a low-cost and accessible stress-

reduction strategy has a favorable impact on this susceptible demographic.

Coping Strategies

Dr. Kumari, G. et al (2024) Conducted a study entitled “Parenting

Stress and Coping Strategies Adopted by Working Mothers; A Thematic

Research” this study aims to explore the multifaceted challenges faced by

working mothers, particularly older first time mothers, as they balance work

and family responsibilities. It aims to identify and comprehend the specific

pressures that these moms face, such as combining work commitments with

childcare, societal expectations, and personal changes to the position of

mother. Furthermore, the study looks into the coping mechanisms used by

these women to effectively manage their stress, ensure maternal well-being,

and promote healthy family dynamics. The result shows that time

management became an important coping tool, as mothers learned to

prioritize tasks and set flexible hours to manage work with childcare.

Additionally, support groups or counseling services helped mothers cope with

the emotional challenges of motherhood.

A study of Andres, K (2021) entitiled “Two Faces of a Mom: Student

Mothers’ Lived Experiences in a State University” emphasized the key

challenges that student moms confront when balancing academic and

domestic commitments. This study demonstrates a resilient and strong desire

to complete their college education and get a university degree. They

overcome these difficulties by the support circle of friends, family and peers

as they deal with double burden and time management which allows them to

prioritize task and build order in both academic and household

responsibilities, and lastly is provision of a supportive environment that will

enable them to overcome obstacles while fulfilling their dual responsibilities of

a student and a mother. Indeed, these student moms' lived experiences

demonstrate the need of supportive structures and coping techniques in

navigating the challenges of their dual duties.

Another Study entitled “Solo Mother's Challenges And Coping

Strategies: A Phenomenological Study In City Of Manila” by Del Mundo, J.,

Macanlalay, M.J., Del Mundo, M.D., focused on Filipino solo Mothers in

Manila examining their coping mechanisms in the face of family and social

difficulties. Based on their study Solo mothers utilized both issue-focused and

emotion-focused coping techniques, but the nature of the problem determined

which strategy to choose. Solo women prioritize self-care in order to be able

to care for their children later on. Given the realities of solo parenting, the

government must provide support programs and legislation to increase solo

moms' ability to raise their children successfully.

Regina Grace P. Pasion at De La Salle University (2024) She

stated that first-time parenting in the Philippines results in significant changes

in a woman's identity and self-concept. Her research discovered that first-time

moms in the Philippines experience dramatic psychological shifts that affect

their social interactions and functioning in a variety of areas, including family

and professional life. According to Pasion (2024), these shifts are frequently

stressful but may be addressed via various coping techniques such as

seeking family support, reframing personal responsibilities, and modifying

expectations of parenting. Filipino moms also utilize emotion-focused and

problem-focused coping strategies to deal with the hardships of parenthood,

and social support is essential in negotiating this change (Pasion, 2024).

The study of Reyes et. al of International Journal of Research

Publication (2022) found that teenage pregnancy seems to stem from a lack

of instruction and parental concern with growing teenagers. The study's

findings shows that one of the leading causes of adolescent pregnancy

resulted from a lack of parental care. Teenage pregnancy and exposure to

most sexual activities are more common among children of single parents

material on television, sexuality in the media, and pornographic and sex chat

rooms frequented by teenagers who are especially geared to participate in

sexual behaviors especially in rural areas, which leads to stigma and poor

self-image among teenage mothers. Yet, raising their child and striving to be a

good mother is their primary coping strategy. Starting a new life with fresh

objectives, desires, and motivation to continue forward takes guts,

commitment, and motherly love.

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