Perinatal depression is estimated to affect one in seven pregnant women. As such, social support has been shown to impact the mental health of women during the perinatal period. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to examine the types of social support received by pregnant and parenting Mexican-American adolescent mothers and their perceptions of how it can influence perinatal mental health. Deductive content analysis was used to analyze the data using emotional, instrumental, and informational support as primary categories. Positive and negative aspects of the adolescent’s social network were also included to understand how individuals impact their mental health. A convenience sample of 20 perinatal Mexican-American adolescents were interviewed. Emotional support, such as encouragement and affirmation, as well as instrumental support, via financial assistance and help with infant care, were primarily sought from significant others, which consisted of family members and their partner. Having strained relationships with their significant others primarily contributed to emotional distress. Health care providers were often sought out for informational support concerning perinatal depression. However, some adolescents were unable to establish rapport with their health care provider, making it difficult to inquire about pertinent mental health information. Study findings suggest that identifying support needs and expectations is an important component of facilitating positive mental health outcomes for Mexican-American adolescent mothers. Future efforts to promote mental health and prevent perinatal depression among Mexican-American adolescent mothers should consider integrating a strong focus on social support.

据估计围产期抑郁症会影响七分之一的孕妇。因此，在围产期，社会支持已显示出影响妇女的心理健康。这项定性描述性研究的目的是研究怀孕和育儿的墨西哥裔美国青少年母亲所获得的社会支持的类型，以及他们对其如何影响围产期心理健康的看法。演绎内容分析用于分析数据，其中使用情感，工具和信息支持作为主要类别。青少年社交网络的正面和负面方面也包括在内，以了解个人如何影响其心理健康。采访了20名围产期墨西哥裔美国青少年的便利样本。情感上的支持，例如鼓励和肯定，主要通过包括家庭成员及其伴侣在内的其他重要人士，寻求通过财务援助和婴儿护理帮助的工具性支持。与他们重要的其他人关系紧张，主要是造成情绪困扰。人们经常向医疗保健提供者寻求有关围产期抑郁症的信息支持。但是，一些青少年无法与他们的医疗保健提供者建立融洽的关系，因此很难查询有关的心理健康信息。研究结果表明，确定支持需求和期望是促进墨西哥裔美国青少年母亲积极的心理健康结果的重要组成部分。