Abstract:
Explores and describes how mothers of teenage mothers in the village of Matshepe experience looking after the latter's young children, and proposes guidelines for psychiatric nurses to assist these mothers in mobilising their resources to facilitate the promotion, maintenance and restoration of their mental health as an integral part of health. Interviews were held with seven respondents, the mothers of teenage mothers or whoever was considered as their female guardian. Taking over the parenting role carries a paradoxical meaning for these respondents. On the one hand, the role is experienced as stressful while, on the other hand, they feel fulfilled. Three categories of distress are experienced by respondents: financial, physical and emotional/spiritual. All seven respondents seemed to regard taking over the parenting role from their daughters as a natural consequence. The respondents conveyed a sense of meaning and purpose involved in taking over as mothers. Taking over the parenting role means that these respondents had to rearrange their lifestyles to accommodate the young child(ren). All respondents needed support while looking after their daughters' young children. This includes financial support, health care, physical assistance, and conflict resolution. It was concluded that the problem of teenage motherhood has a negative impact on the mental health of their mothers.
