Perceived Social Support and Psychological Well-being among Unmarried Teenage Mothers in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria (Published)
Unmarried teenage mothers in Nigeria face stigma, interrupted schooling and economic hardship, yet little is known about the support available to them and how that support relates to their psychological well-being. To assess the types, levels and perceived adequacy of social support available to unmarried teenage mothers in Ilorin Metropolis, their psychological well-being, the factors that enhance or hinder support, and the relationship between support and well-being. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three primary health care centres (Pakata, Balogun Fulani and Okelele). Of 226 eligible teenage mothers, 180 were recruited by proportionate allocation and 168 returned usable questionnaires (response rate 93.3%). Data were collected with a structured questionnaire incorporating an adapted Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Cronbach’s α = 0.85) and analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression and Pearson correlation at p < 0.05. Healthcare support (M = 3.79) and family support (M = 3.62) were rated high, whereas community support was moderate (M = 3.31). Support was perceived as adequate overall (M = 3.82). Psychological well-being was moderate (M = 3.00), with low confidence in caring for the child (M = 2.24). Supportive family members (β = .276, p = .001) and educational opportunities (β = .245, p = .007) positively predicted perceived support, whereas financial constraints (β = −.178, p = .028) and limited access to healthcare (β = −.212, p = .011) were negative predictors (R2 = .202). Perceived social support had a weak, significant positive correlation with psychological well-being (r = 0.18, p = 0.02). Unmarried teenage mothers in Ilorin receive meaningful healthcare and family support, but community support is weaker and its association with psychological well-being is modest. Adolescent-friendly services, economic empowerment, school re-entry pathways and community anti-stigma programmes are needed.
Keywords: Adolescent mothers, MSPSS, Primary health care, Psychological well-being, Social Support