Depression among adolescent mothers enrolled in a high school parenting program

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Adolescent Health
• Maternal Mental Health

Background:

• Depressive symptoms in adolescent mothers are linked to adverse outcomes for both mother and child.
• Understanding the presentation of depression in this demographic is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the dimensions of the Beck Depression Inventory®-II (BDI-II).
• To discuss how depression may manifest in adolescent mothers.
• To identify the prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescent mothers within a support program.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 45 adolescent mothers participating in a high school-based parent support program.
• The Beck Depression Inventory®-II was administered to assess depressive symptoms.

Main Results:

• The average Beck Depression Inventory®-II score was 12.27 (SD = 8.57).
• One-third (n = 15) of the adolescent mothers exhibited depressive symptoms.
• Commonly reported symptoms included loss of energy, altered sleep patterns, appetite changes, and fatigue.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of adolescent mothers in the study experienced depressive symptoms.
• Symptoms such as fatigue and sleep disturbances may be misattributed to normal postpartum adjustments.
• Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, must be vigilant in identifying depression in adolescent mothers.