Journal of Counselling and Family Therapy

Assessment of the Psychological Challenges and Mental Health Outcomes of Teenage Motherhood in Kiagbodo Community in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria

Lawrence Ayah Iruo — 2025-09-06

Adolescent Pregnancy is a Pressing Public Health Concern in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities such as Kiagbodo, Delta State, where teenage mothers face compounded psychosocial and mental health challenges. These include stigma, poverty, family rejection, and intimate partner violence, all of which increase vulnerability to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and social isolation. This study aimed to assess the psychosocial challenges and mental health outcomes of teenage mothers in Kiagbodo, with the goal of informing targeted interventions that integrate psychosocial and mental health support into maternal care. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving 100 adolescent mothers aged 13–19 years, selected through multistage sampling. Data were gathered using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, incorporating the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25, with descriptive and inferential statistics applied. Results revealed that financial difficulties (85%), stigma/discrimination (78%), and educational disruption (72%) were the most prevalent challenges. Depression was reported in 46% of respondents and anxiety in 39%, with stigma, lack of family support, and intimate partner violence significantly associated with adverse outcomes (p < 0.05). Coping strategies included religious activities (75%), seeking family support (55%), and peer support groups (40%). Respondents recommended improved access to adolescent-friendly healthcare (90%), community sensitization to reduce stigma (85%), and financial support (80%) as key interventions. The study concludes that addressing teenage mothers’ psychosocial and mental health needs requires adolescent-focused, culturally sensitive, and holistic maternal care strategies.

Stigma and Coping Strategies Among Families Having Adolescents with Substance Abuse: Literature Review

Abdullah Nasr Abdullah Othman — 2025-09-16

Adolescent substance abuse has been a burning health issue in the world, and its effect on physical, psychological, and social levels is broad and far-reaching, especially affecting the family unit. Families who have adolescents with substance use issues often face a variety of stigmas, such as social stigma, self-stigmatization, and institutional stigma. These experiences may enhance emotional distress, destroy family relationships, and serve as an obstacle on the way to professional help. Stigma also influences how families cope, whether they choose adaptive coping, like professional help-seeking, open communication, or maladaptive coping, like avoidance, denial, or social withdrawal. It is necessary to understand this interaction in order to make culturally responsive interventions. The proposed study plans to evaluate the levels of stigma and coping strategies between families who have adolescents with substance abuse in Cairo, Egypt, where cultural beliefs tend to perceive substance use as a form of moral failing instead of a health concern. The study will use a quantitative cross-sectional design and validated assessment tools to identify the most common types of stigmas and the most commonly used types of coping strategies. The expected results will serve to support nursing practice through evidence-based stigma reduction strategies, enhancing adaptive coping, and increasing family resilience. Eventually, the results will help in promoting stigma-free comprehensive care that will help in recovery of adolescents and in empowering their families.

Mental Fatigue Among Allied Health Sciences Students: An Observational Study

Reema Jenifer — 2025-09-01

Background: Mental fatigue is a state of reduced concentration, energy, and efficiency, distinct from burnout. AHS students face dense academic schedules with prolonged lectures and minimal breaks, predisposing them to fatigue. Objectives: To measure the prevalence of mental fatigue among undergraduate AHS students and identify related academic and personal factors, while suggesting practical strategies for reduction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted (March–June 2025) at JSS College of Allied Health Sciences, Chamarajanagar. Forty undergraduates (75% female; mean age 18 ± 1.2) from four disciplines were selected by stratified random sampling. Participants completed a structured questionnaire using validated scales for fatigue and motivation. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results: Fatigue was highly prevalent: 47% reported moderate fatigue, 17% high, 21% low, and 15% none. Academic overload, poor peer/supervisor support, and <6 hours of sleep showed significant associations with higher fatigue. Students with moderafatigue maintainedned performance, while severe fatigue impaired accuracy and response time. Motivation provided partial buffering, but persistent stress and low psychosocial support increased fatigue and errors over time. Conclusion: Mental fatigue is common among AHS students, mainly driven by workload and limited support. Introducing structured breaks, peer mentoring, resilience training, and mental health literacy in the curriculum may reduce fatigue and enhance academic outcomes.