Postpartum Depression in Adolescent Mothers: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Research on adolescent mothers has revealed increasing rates of depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. This review integrated 12 research-based articles to provide a better understanding of depression among adolescent mothers in the first year postpartum. The results revealed that more family conflict, fewer social supports, and low self-esteem all were associated with increased rates of depressive symptoms in adolescent mothers during the first postpartum year. To prevent adverse outcomes associated with depression, it is important that nurse practitioners working with these families screen adolescent mothers for depression and refer them for treatment as needed.