ArticleInternational journal for equity in health2025
"I am a mother but still a girl": a phenomenological study of postpartum emotional distress among adolescent mothers in Ghana.
Article in International journal for equity in health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Navigating the care of preterm babies: physical care challenges and psychosocial stressors of adolescent mothers in Ghana.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Article
- Understanding the transition to motherhood among adolescent mothers in rural Pakistan: Implications for mental health.PloS one · 2026Article
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2 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundAdolescent motherhood poses a significant global public health challenge, with young mothers at twice the risk of postpartum depression compared with adults. However, qualitative insights into how multilevel social determinants shape emotional well-being in low- and middle-income Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS)-style primary care systems are lacking. This study focused on the postpartum emotional distress experienced by teenage mothers in Ghana, focusing on how they perceive, understand, and cope with their emotional realities.
methodsA phenomenological study was conducted in rural southern Ghana, utilizing semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 16 adolescent mothers aged 15-19 years. The data were analyzed thematically, informed by Braun and Clarke's framework, and interpreted through an interpretative phenomenological lens.
resultsThe thematic analysis revealed four key themes. These include (1) the loss of adolescence and uncertainty about their new roles; (2) the suppression of emotions due to family expectations, social stigma, and personal shame; (3) the role of faith in coping with emotional distress, which provides comfort but imposes limitations; and (4) the neglect of emotional needs in postpartum care, which prioritizes physical recovery and infant health. These themes suggest a significant gap between the mental health needs of adolescent mothers in Ghana and the support they receive.
conclusionThere is a need for multidimensional interventions that focus on adolescent mothers' voices, address systemic inequities, and foster inclusive support networks to improve their mental health, well-being, and long-term outcomes.
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