Psychosocial Challenges Faced by Young Mothers in a Selected Rural Village of Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

Background: Young mothers in rural South Africa often experience multiple psychological and social challenges that may affect both maternal well-being and child development. Poverty, stigma, limited educational opportunities, and inadequate social support are common in many underserved communities, increasing vulnerability to stress, emotional distress, and social isolation among young mothers. Although these challenges are well documented, little is known about how psychosocial experiences of young mothers are shaped by the interaction of individual, interpersonal, community, and structural factors in rural South African settings. This perspective provides an opportunity to move away from the view of young motherhood as an individual-level challenge by considering how family relationships, partner engagement, community attitudes, socioeconomic conditions, and educational environments interact to influence psychosocial well-being. Objectives: This study aimed to explore how psychosocial well-being among young mothers in Tshimbupfe Village is shaped by interactions among individual, interpersonal, community, and structural factors and to investigate protective factors that support coping and resilience. Methods: Qualitative exploratory design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 young mothers in Tshimbupfe Village, who were purposively recruited from the ISA Mathivha Foundation. Interviews were conducted in the local language, audio-recorded with permission, and transcribed verbatim. We analysed the data using a six-step thematic analysis approach to identify key themes. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained before data collection. The study was theoretically informed by the Social Ecological Model and Resilience Theory, which allowed us to evaluate the role of psychosocial well-being and participants’ responses to adversity. Results: Six themes were identified: family rejection and limited support; partner neglect and low father involvement; socio-economic hardship; social stigma and isolation; educational disruption; and emotional distress with coping strategies. Financial insecurity, social grant dependence, and experiences of stigma that contributed to social isolation and stress were described by participants. However, some young mothers showed resilience and adaptive coping strategies. Family support, childcare, partner or extended family support, and opportunities to continue education were all factors that supported coping and resilience. Thematic analysis was based on the Social Ecological Model’s individual, interpersonal, community, and structural effects, and Resilience Theory led to a better understanding of protective and adaptive mechanisms. Conclusions: Young mothers in rural South Africa experience significant psychosocial burdens related to poverty, stigma, and limited support systems. The findings show that these experiences are generated through interacting interpersonal, community, and structural conditions, while resilience is supported by access to protective relationships and resources, which underscore the need for community-specific and policy-based interventions.