Abstract:
Early motherhood has been associated with negative biological and social outcomes
in the developing world of the teenage mother and child. The study sought to explore
the psychological health of teenage mothers from selected secondary schools in
Seshego Township, Limpopo Province. Generally, the study makes use of a
comparative design and 120 participants were selected for the study consisting of 60
teenage mothers and 60 teenage non-mothers. The psychological health of teenage
mothers was compared to the psychological health of teenage non-mothers. The
study made use of the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) with only three
demographic questions, which was given to both teenage mothers and teenage
non–mothers.
The results of the study show that there was no significant difference in the
psychological health of teenage mothers and teenage non–mothers. Results also
showed that there was no significant difference on the sub-scales of somatic
symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and depression. Results of
teenage mothers were compared to one another, and this comparison also showed
that there was no significant difference within this group. Also results on age, grade
and family structure showed no significant difference between the two groups
compared to one another. Given the literature that exists worldwide showing that
teenage motherhood can have negative impacts on mothers, particularly social and
economic, but also physical and psychological health, it is clear that further research
in this area needs to be conducted.
