A Qualitative Examination of the Mental Health Experiences of Adolescent Mothers in Central Kenya

Adolescent motherhood is often a misunderstood and under researched population in Kenya. This phenomenon has significant impacts on society, since the rate of adolescent motherhood has increased in recent years in Kenya. Additionally, it is important to examine the mental health of these young women in order to implement public programs to increase their health outcomes and the health of their children. This study is a qualitative exploratory study that aimed to understand the experience of motherhood for adolescent mothers and how it affects their mental health. This study also sought to discover the protective and risk factors that exist for these women on a personal and cultural level. The participants for this study were 18 adolescent mothers who were living in a specific organization in central Kenya. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with these young women to explore the research objectives. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the thematic analysis method. During the coding process, common themes were identified and organized to answer the research questions. The results suggested that cultural factors often presented as a risk factor for adolescent mothers' mental health in Kenya. This research also indicated that personal factors were more often protective factors. In regards to their experience as young mothers', participants primarily expressed feelings of stress, rejection, and limited opportunities. This study can be used to further understand the wellbeing of adolescent mothers in Kenya and how to help reduce their negative health outcomes. Recommendations for future research include studies that focus on understanding adolescent mothers on a larger scope across Kenya. Additionally, further research could examine the protective factors that affect positive mental health for adolescent mothers across Kenya.