Moving from stigma to strength: Experiences of pregnancy among adolescents in Nassau, The Bahamas inform healthy development of self, family, and the larger community

This qualitative study employed the six dimensions of stigma as part of the discourse in the experiences of pregnant adolescents in Nassau, The Bahamas. Building from Goffman (1963) work, Jones and colleagues (1983) identified six dimensions for understanding the personal experiences of marginalized populations. For this study, these dimensions related to the attribute of pregnancy and included: 1) the ability to conceal the attribute 2) the course of social expectations and anticipated social consequences; 3) the disruptiveness of the attribute; 4) the aesthetic qualities; 5) the origin of the attribute; and 6) peril. Focus group discussions and brief personal characteristic forms were utilized to explore, ‘What are the experiences of unmarried, first-time pregnant adolescents attending an alternative school in Nassau, The Bahamas?” The NVivo 8 qualitative software was used as an instrument for meaning making through the interpretive process of the participants' stories. The strengths of the study participants are revealed as they transcend their stigmatizing environments and help public health social workers and others understand how their experiences during pregnancy inform healthy development of self, family, and the larger community. While the anticipated themes of stigma and social support are shared, the study participants also raise themes related to advice to peers, HIV/AIDS prevention awareness, access to contraceptives, the importance of self reliance, future planning, as well as thoughts about abstinence and fertility. Essentially the study participants express how experiences during pregnancy inform healthy development of self, family and the larger community.