Stress and coping among unmarried pregnant university students in South Africa

Abstract

Background The improvement of maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes is an important part of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). MCH remains an important issue globally as the SDGs have not yet been achieved in most countries. Young women in universities are likely to experience unintended pregnancy due to risky sexual behaviors in tertiary institutions which is characterized by lack of condom and/or contraceptive use and coercion. Pregnant young women in an academic environment are susceptible to stressors associated with unintended pregnancy and academic demands of universities. However, very little is known about the stress and coping among young people in tertiary institutions who get pregnant during the course of their studies and choose to keep the pregnancy. Methods Participants were purposively selected among pregnant students and those in the puerperal period at the time of the study. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken to explore the experiences of pregnancy and early motherhood, with particular focus on the various stressors experienced and possible coping strategies employed by students. The data were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using thematic analysis. Results The findings show that pregnancy and early motherhood was an experience that came with a lot of stress emanating from fear of parents’ reactions, academic pressure, financial constraints, relationship problems with male partners and experiences of social stigma. Participants used emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies to deal with the stressors confronting them during and after their pregnancy. Conclusion The experiences of pregnant students are multifaceted and generally characterised by financial crisis, academic challenges, shame, strenuous relationships and transitioning into a new identity. A multipronged approach to healthcare for pregnant students that focus on comprehensive antenatal services, health education, health promotion, psychosocial interventions including academic counselling will have positive outcomes for young mothers and their children.

Out-of-Wedlock Pregnancy Among Single Mothers in Khartoum, Sudan: Sociodemographic Characteristics, Causes, and Consequences

“…In one previous study, it was reported that material needs to be a main reason for such pregnancy followed by coercion or abuse (13). Furthermore, one previous study conducted in South Africa identified that academic demand during university education is considered a reason for unmarried pregnancy (14).…”

Prevalence of Sexuality and The Use of Contraceptives among Female Students: Specific Case of the Adventist University of Goma

“…According to Phiri and al, from South Africa, " In universities, young women can experience an undesired pregnancy as a result of risky sexual behavior in their academic environment marked by the lack of utilization of condoms and/or contraceptives and duress" [11].…”

Capítulo 23. Entre la maternidad y los estudios universitarios: un análisis del perfil y los retos que enfrentan las mujeres estudiantes de un Centro Universitario de la Universidad de Guadalajara

“…En los últimos 10 años el incremento de mujeres que son o se convierten en madres durante los estudios universitarios, ha llamado la atención de investigadores de diferentes disciplinas para develar el desacoplamiento de los roles normativos al ser madres y estudiantes universitarias (Miller & Arvizu, 2016;Reina-Barreto et al, 2019); los significados que representa la experiencia de la maternidad para estudiantes universitarias (Lucchini-Raies et al, 2018); las condiciones socioeconómica y afectivas de jóvenes madres y sus familias (González-Bedoya & Molina-Osorio, 2018); las alteraciones del ciclo de vida y las afectaciones económicas y de salud mental que implica la maternidad en etapa universitaria (Hernández et al, 2020;Hernández-Quirama et al, 2019); así como las estrategias para compatibilizar las actividades académicas y familiares de jóvenes madres universitarias (Álvarez et al, 2020); el estrés ocasionado por embarazos y maternidades no deseadas durante los estudios universitarios (Phiri et al, 2021); la percepción de los efectos de la maternidad en el ámbito laboral, académico y social (Herrera, 2021); incluso, durante la pandemia, reconocer las oportunidades que trajo la educación universitaria a distancia para el ejercicio de la maternidad de las jóvenes estudiantes (Burk et al, 2021;Cárdenas-Ramos & Chalarca-Carmona, 2022;Sánchez & Valdéz, 2021).…”