Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences
Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences

Informing, Preparing, and Training are the Key to Overcoming Precocious Puberty in Children: A Lesson from the Experiences of Mothers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Atefeh Rahmdel 1
Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee 1
Leila Jouybari 2

1 Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

10.34172/jqr.1429
Abstract
Background: Precocious puberty is associated with worries and challenges for affected children and their mothers as primary caregivers. The present study aimed to explore mothers› experiences of their children›s precocious puberty.
Methods: The data in this qualitative-descriptive phenomenological study were collected through semi-structured interviews. The mothers with female and male children who experienced puberty before age 8 or 9 were selected through purposive sampling in Tehran in 2023. Data saturation was achieved after interviewing 25 mothers. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method.
Results: The mothers’ experiences of their child’s precocious puberty were categorized into four main themes including “extreme surprise and confusion”, “precocious puberty, a developmental period or a disease?”, “mothers’ self-imposed isolation”, and “informing, preparing, and training parents as the key to overcoming precocious puberty”.
Conclusion: Seeking assistance from doctors, nurses, midwives, and health counselors, reading related books, and using new information to understand puberty can enhance the patience and tolerance of mothers to help their children overcome the challenges associated with precocious puberty.

Highlights

Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee (PubMed) (Google Scholar)

Keywords

Lived experiences
Mothers
Precocious puberty
Children
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Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences
Volume 14
Pages 1-9

  • Receive Date 05 June 2024
  • Revise Date 05 January 2025
  • Accept Date 10 January 2025

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