VIDBE-Q Volume 64 Issue 4
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interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed word for word for
thematic analysis.
A thematic analysis (Riessman, 2008) of the data was conducted to
explore and define the shared experiences of these mothers. Each
transcript was examined to discover common or shared themes. Common
themes did emerge even with individual experiences and perspectives of
each mother. They included: (a) feelings of acceptance and belonging, (b)
building of confidence through role models, and (c) overall resiliency and
family well-being through connections with other parents.
However, another method of data representation to truly exemplify
the feelings and experiences of these mothers was needed. The lived
experiences of these mothers raising their child and the comfort they felt
when connected or supported by others in their situation seemed just too
powerful to limit its expression within a scholarly paper. The research
project itself uncovered empirically the power and impact of parent-to-
parent social support, specifically the actual words and phrases that these
mothers expressed, that a way to represent it authentically was needed.
Poetry, as an alternative form of data representation and the emotional
impact of the collected results, was utilized.
