Exploring the mental health experiences of young mothers affected by HIV: Qualitative insights from the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

The mental health of young women at risk of HIV exposure and early pregnancy, remains understudied. This study contributed to this research gap by exploring the mental health experiences of young mothers affected by HIV in South Africa. We conducted 17 semi-structured interviews with 18-24-year-old young mothers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, 12 of whom were living with HIV. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. Young mothers showed diverse understandings and articulation of their day-to-day experiences of mental well-being. Many participants felt overwhelmed and stressed by the sudden transition into motherhood, as they were unprepared for the significant changes it brought into their lives. Additionally, this stress was heightened for young mothers living with HIV, who faced increased vulnerability to poor mental health, particularly where early motherhood intersected with the stigma associated with HIV.