Parenting Whilst Growing up - Understanding Parental Stress to Inform a Parenting Intervention for Adolescents with Young Children in South Africa

Katherine Morse, University of Cape Town
Elona Toska, University of Cape Town

Parenting stress among adolescent parents in resource-scarce environments threatens the wellbeing of both parents and children. This study investigates the factors contributing to parenting stress among adolescent mothers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, with the aim of developing a tailored parenting intervention. Interviews were conducted with 931 adolescent parents, investigating factors significant associated with parenting stress. Having multiple children, children with disabilities, children who cry frequently and having poor communication with adolescents’ own caregivers contribute to parenting stress. Financial support, food security and doing activities with children all decrease parenting stress. The study underscores the need for parenting interventions that address these unique challenges, including teaching fun low-cost activities, stress management, financial management, and family planning while enhancing social support through inter-generational approaches. Such interventions can improve the wellbeing of adolescent parents and their children, contributing to ending violence against children through positive parent-child relationships.