Impact of teenage pregnancy and early marriage on psychosocial well-being of pregnant teenagers in Lagos State: sociological implications

Abstract

The study examined the impact of teenage pregnancy and early marriage on psychosocial well-being of pregnant teenagers in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. The study was guided by four formulated hypotheses. The descriptive research design was adopted in the study. One hundred and fifty (150) participants (pregnant teenagers) were selected through purposive sampling technique as sample size for the study. A self-developed questionnaire titled “Impact of Teenage Pregnancy and Early Marriage on the Psychosocial Well-being of Pregnant Teenagers Questionnaire (ITPEMPWPTQ)” was used for data collection. The results of the study showed that teenage pregnancy has significant impact on depression trauma among pregnant teenagers, teenage pregnancy has significant impact on social relationships among pregnant teenagers, teenage pregnancy has significant impact on social stigma of pregnant teenagers and early marriage has significant impact on emotional stability among pregnant teenagers. It was therefore, recommended that the government and other stakeholders in women affairs and development should strive to create conducive enabling, socio-political and economic conditions which will discourage teenage pregnancy and early marriage. Also, the traditional belief that the position of a woman is in the kitchen should be done away with. All hands should be on deck to ensure that teenage pregnancy and early marriage become reduced if not completely eradicated in the society since it is not only the girl-child that suffers but the society at large.