Young Mothers in Appalachia: Meanings of Help from Family

The present study employed interpretive phenomenology analysis to explore the lived experiences of young mothers as it pertains to intergenerational family support within the Appalachian context. Informed by symbolic interactionism, the life course perspective, and the kinscripts framework, the present study sought to uncover the meanings attributed to help from family for young mothers. Nine women (ages 18-28; M= 23.33) who had children between the ages of 15 and 19 were interviewed for present study. Through detail-rich narratives, meanings ascribed to help were uncovered. Help was equated with love, and it was presented as a paradox. Help was also conceptualized as a pathway to facilitate young mothers’ autonomy in their new parental roles. Having autonomy, that is defined as the ability to make parenting decisions, along with support from family was associated with feeling confident and adequate as mothers. Mothers who were refused autonomy described distress and struggled with identifying in their new parental role. These findings and their implications are discussed further.