Parental stress, social support and postnatal depression among teenage mothers at Kasangati Health Centre IV Nangabo, Kyadondo in Wakiso district

Abstract

For years, teenage mothers have experienced parental stress including postnatal depression due to inadequate or no social support especially among mothers with babies between 0-6 months. However, recent studies suggest that parental stress may be associated with health problems among teenage mothers. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine the relationship between parental stress, social support and postnatal depression among teenage mothers at Kasangati Health Centre IV Nangabo, Kyadondo in Wakiso district. This quantitative study used a correlation study design where chi-square was used to examine the first three study hypotheses and then Baron and Kenny (1986) regression analysis used in testing the fourth hypothesis. A systematic random sampling strategy was used in the selection of 103 teenage mothers from Kasangati Health Centre. Results indicated that parental stress was not significantly related to postnatal depression x 2 (1, n =103) = 0.137, p=0.711. There was an association between parental stress and social support (x 2 (1, n =103) = 5.992, p=0.014). .Social support and postnatal depression were not significantly correlated x 2 (1, n =103) = 0.12, p=0.913. For the fourth hypothesis, social support did not moderate the relationship between parental stress and postnatal depression. In conclusion teenage mothers who experience less social support are more likely to face postnatal depression than those who experience more social support.