Journal article
A mixed-methods study of resilience and return to school among adolescent mothers in South Africa
Global public health, v 17(9), pp 2111-2124
02 Sep 2022
PMID: 34432605
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Up to two-thirds of South African adolescent mothers drop out of school, which increases their HIV risk and other poor health outcomes. Despite variability in adolescent mothers' schooling trajectories, we have a limited understanding of their re-enrollment in school following the life-changing circumstance of childbirth. In this paper, we draw on qualitative interviews (n = 16) and quantitative surveys (n = 109) with adolescent mothers (aged 14-19) who had recently given birth to describe how access to individual and social resources contributes to their resilience following childbirth and thus affects their ability to re-enroll in school. Nearly all the adolescent mothers in our study expressed a desire to return to school, and most of their families also emotionally supported adolescent mothers in these goals. Despite mothers' high hopes and familial emotional support, only half of the adolescent mothers re-enrolled in the first six months following childbirth. Adolescent mothers' re-entry trajectories were strongly affected by institutional support and by family members' provision of instrumental support. To a lesser extent, support from partners and peers also played a role in re-enrollment. Multilevel interventions to maximise resilience following the onset of early motherhood may facilitate return to school and positively influence adolescent mothers' health and well-being.
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Details
- Title
- A mixed-methods study of resilience and return to school among adolescent mothers in South Africa
- Creators
- Allison K. Groves - Drexel UniversityLuwam T. Gebrekristos - Drexel UniversityLuz McNaughton Reyes - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public HealthDhayendre Moodley - University of KwaZulu-NatalValerie Raziano - Drexel UniversitySuzanne Maman - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Publication Details
- Global public health, v 17(9), pp 2111-2124
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Grant note
- S-LMAQM-16-CA-1103 / U.S Department of State (10.13039/100000194)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health; Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000688334500001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85113524141
- Other Identifier
- 991019169543404721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health