<![CDATA[Mental health disruptions among pregnant adolescents significantly impact maternal and fetal outcomes. Pregnant teenagers frequently face difficulties in accessing adequate social support due to social stigma from families, communities, and healthcare providers. Key internal beliefs and maternal self-efficacy are essential in anticipating adverse outcomes during pregnancy. This study aims to explore the construction of social needs among adolescent pregnant women through the lens of Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). A qualitative design with an interpretative phenomenological approach was employed. Participants were five young mothers who experienced pregnancy under 20 years old in Bandung City, recruited via purposive sampling. Data were collected through online, semi-structured, in-depth interviews and analyzed using Creswell’s thematic analysis framework, guided by SCT constructs. Reporting followed the COREQ guidelines. The study identified five main themes mapped into SCT constructs: 1) emotional dynamics and cognitive responses, characterized by psychological shock and guilt (personal/cognitive factors); 2) accessibility needs and social environment support from nuclear family and partners (environmental facilitators); 3) social stigma and judgmental interactions in healthcare settings (environmental barriers); 4) coping mechanisms shifting from avoidance to spiritual reliance and maternal self-efficacy (individual behavior & self-efficacy); and 5) socioeconomic vulnerability requiring peer support and financial empowerment (environmental & behavioral reinforcement). The social needs of pregnant adolescents encompass emotional acceptance from families, stigma-free and youth-friendly antenatal care services, financial security, and peer support networks. Strengthening environmental support systems directly enhances maternal self-efficacy, fostering adaptive coping behaviors and promoting positive perinatal mental health outcomes.]]>
