Journal of Research in Midwifery and Healthcare
Vol 2 No 1 (2026): Journal of Research in Midwifery and Healthcare, June 2026

Strengthening Midwives’ Role in Reproductive and Mental Health Counselling for Adolescent Girls: A Narrative Review

Karunia Wijayanti (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Resinta Mareta Putri (Midwifery Student, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Sofia Al Farizi (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a pivotal window for lifelong health, yet adolescent girls face persistent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and mental health (MH) burdens amid stigma, access barriers, and digital-era risks, necessitating midwife-led responses. Purpose: This study aims to examine how the role of midwives with various interventions can optimise the reproductive and mental health of adolescent girls. Methods: Narrative review of studies published in the last five years. A computerised search identified 1.032 records (PubMed=666; ScienceDirect=325; Scopus=41). Titles/abstracts were screened using prespecified inclusion criteria (English; alignment with the objective). Fifteen studies involving girls aged 10–19 years in clinics, schools, communities, and primary-care settings were included. Data on midwife-led SRH–MH interventions were extracted and synthesised thematically. Results: Midwife-delivered, youth-friendly SRH–MH models were feasible and acceptable, and were associated with increased SRH service uptake, better engagement and continuity, and reductions in depressive/anxiety symptoms in several digital or hybrid interventions. Enablers included confidentiality, respectful non-judgmental counselling, trained staff, clear referral pathways, and flexible access; barriers included stigma, privacy concerns, costs/transport, and restrictive social norms. Conclusion: Midwife-led, integrated, and digitally enabled SRH–MH services show promise for optimising outcomes among adolescent girls. Implications for midwifery practice include adopting AYFHS standards, institutionalising routine PHQ-A/GAD-7 screening with referral pathways, ensuring confidential, trauma-informed counselling and contraceptive choice, leveraging blended in-person/mobile follow-up, and monitoring quality indicators (screening coverage, service use, completed referrals).

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jrmh

Publisher

Subject

Description

Journal of Research in Midwifery and Healthcare JRMH is an international peer reviewed journal dedicated to publishing high quality research and evidence based practices in midwifery and interdisciplinary healthcare The journal aims to advance scientific knowledge and improve the quality of maternal ...