Not one but two: cross-sectional associations among repeat pregnancy, maternal mental health and child cognitive outcomes among adolescent and young mothers in South Africa
Having multiple children was associated with poorer maternal mental health. Delaying a second pregnancy until adulthood may have benefits, as sibling effects were found to be positively associated with child cognitive development scores. Formal childcare support was associated with positive child outcomes. Findings highlight the need to focus on repeat adolescent pregnancy, improve social, psychological and family planning support among young mothers with a focus on birth timing and spacing, early childhood care provision and support for young families.
Authors
- Katharina Haag (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5358-7894)
- Wylene Saal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3774-8923)
- Camille Wittesaele (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8828-5685)
- Kathryn J. Roberts (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1200-5362)
- Lucie Dale Cluver (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0418-835X)
- Janke Tolmay (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6855-3099)
- Nontokozo Langwenya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7883-621X)
- Janina Jochim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6449-9838)
- Marguerite Marlow (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9181-2447)
- Elona Toska (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3800-3173)
- Lorraine Sherr
Institutions
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NO)
- University of Cape Town (ZA)
- Oxford Policy Management (GB)
- Stellenbosch University (ZA)
- Sol Plaatje University (ZA)
- University of Oxford (GB)
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
- Cape Town Science Centre (ZA)
- University College London (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMJ Global Health
- Published
- 2025-10-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2025-019909
- Primary Topic
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00