Perspectives about social support among unmarried pregnant university students in South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pregnant young women in an academic environment are susceptible to stressors associated with unintended pregnancy and academic demands of universities. The challenges they face may be exacerbated by lack of social support, putting them at risk of psychological disorders such as depression. Women who receive social support during pregnancy and postpartum experience less emotional distress and report greater maternal satisfaction. However, very little is known about the perspectives about social support among unmarried pregnant students in tertiary institutions.

Methods

Participants were purposively selected among unmarried pregnant students and those in the puerperal period at the time of the study. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews to explore the

SUBMITTER: Msipu Phiri T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10124874 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature