The lived experiences related to the mental health of women who separated with their partners during pregnancy, in Cottondale, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract

Partner separation during pregnancy is a highly distressing experience that places many women at risk of emotional distress. Pregnancy is already a time of significant emotional change, and separation further increases the risk of mental health challenges. Despite this, limited research has explored the lived experiences of women affected in South Africa. This study explored the lived experiences related to the mental health of women who separated with their partners during pregnancy. Guided by an interpretivist paradigm, a qualitative phenomenological design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to recruit eleven black women aged between 20 to 39 in Mpumalanga, who had separated with their partners during pregnancy. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The findings indicated that pregnancy disclosure often marked a turning point in relationships, with partners initially showing acceptance before withdrawing or rejecting the pregnancy. Participants experienced pressure to terminate, followed by encouragement from family members to continue with pregnancy. Relationships frequently ended through communication cut-off and partner withdrawal, leaving women to continue pregnancy without partner involvement. Separation during pregnancy negatively affected women’s mental health, resulting in emotional distress and stress. Social support from family and friends played an important role in buffering these challenges. Despite emotional difficulties, participants maintained strong emotional bonds with their children and used coping strategies to protect the mother-child relationship. The study concludes that partner separation during pregnancy poses risks to women’s mental health. However, social support and personal resilience promote emotional survival and maternal functioning.