Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42531197›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Understanding the transition to motherhood among adolescent mothers in rural Pakistan: Implications for mental health.

Amber Hussain, Tanya Park, Zahid Ali Memon, Salima Meherali

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Amber HussainFaculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0353-1117
Tanya ParkCollege of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing and Midwifery, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2462-7628
Zahid Ali MemonDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5321-8885
Salima MeheraliFaculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis study explored how adolescent mothers in Pakistan experience the transition to motherhood and the mental health challenges that arise during this period.

methodsA focused ethnographic study was conducted with 25 adolescent mothers in Matiari, Sindh. Data were collected through semi‑structured interviews, participant observations, and artifact elicitation. Meleis' Transition Theory informed the study focus and development of the interview guide. Reflexive thematic analysis guided interpretation, informed by an intersectional lens.

findingsFive themes described mothers' experiences: early educational disruption and redirected aspirations; continuous caregiving with uneven support; barriers to maternal healthcare access; emotional distress and psychological strain; and identity transformation. These intersecting challenges contributed to significant mental health strain and highlighted persistent gaps in access to supportive, adolescent-responsive maternal care.

conclusionsAdolescent mothers navigate motherhood with substantial emotional and practical burdens yet demonstrate meaningful resilience. Findings highlight the need for adolescent‑responsive mental health support, accessible care, routine and confidential distress screening, referral pathways, and supportive educational and community‑based interventions tailored to underserved rural settings.

Indexed as

Adolescent MothersMental HealthMothersPregnancy in AdolescenceAdolescentFemaleHumansPakistanPregnancyRural PopulationStress, Psychological

Identifiers

PMID42531197
PMCPMC13422825

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.