Looking Beyond Stigma and Depression: an Examination of Psychological Wellbeing in Young Mothers

Research into the psychological experiences of young mothers often focuses on negative experiences of stigma and depression. This study applied a strengths-based approach and explored resilience and flourishing in young mothers, in addition to measures of distress. Participants were 83 Australian women who gave birth to their first child while aged between 14 and 23 years of age. They completed an online set of questionnaires measuring socio-demographic factors, positive wellbeing, and indicators of distress. Self-esteem, flourishing, and resilience were important predictors in regressions. A cluster analysis was used to identify sub-groups of mothers, with three groups emerging: a well-functioning group (41%), a distressed group (30%), and also a mixed group with limited distress and some flourishing (30%). These groups differed on socio-demographic factors. These findings suggest that not all young mothers are struggling, with a significant proportion displaying high levels of positive wellbeing. Recognition of these strengths is likely to result in beneficial outcomes for both mothers and babies. Our findings should be viewed within the limitations of stigma and depression measures used and the engaged nature of the sample.