A multicenter study on the mental health of Brazilian adolescent mothers, 2024.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the mental health of Brazilian adolescent mothers who use the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS).

Methods: This is a multicenter study conducted with 583 adolescent mothers (10-19 years old). The participants responded to a questionnaire on sociodemographic variables, mental health and family support. The results were presented as absolute and relative frequencies. The association between outcome and variables was investigated using Poisson regression.

Results: Some level of depression (61.9%) and anxiety (63.8%) was present in the adolescents. These symptoms were associated with a lack of family support (p-value<0.001), the loss of school friends (p-value<0.001), the diagnosis of postpartum depression (p-value<0.001), and the diagnosis of depression or anxiety before or during pregnancy (p-value<0.001). 15.9% of the adolescents diagnosed with mental health conditions were being treated. The main barriers identified were difficulties in access to psychological support, lack of interest and lack of encouragement.

Conclusion: The study revealed worrying rates of depression and anxiety among teenage girls. The importance of family support was emphasized, the absence of which is linked to increased symptoms of mental distress. The impact of the loss of social ties and a history of mental health problems, such as postpartum depression, is highlighted. 15% of the adolescents had psychological monitoring, which makes evident the barriers to access to mental health. The results underline an urgent need for interventions and public policies to improve access to psychological support and to promote the mental health of this population.