The physical and emotional health of South Korean mothers of preterm infants in the early postpartum period: a descriptive correlational study
10.4094/chnr.2022.28.2.103
- Author:
Jiyun PARK
1
;
Kyung-Sook BANG
Author Information
1. Registered Nurse, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Child Health Nursing Research
2022;28(2):103-111
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:This study investigated the physical and emotional health of South Korean mothers of preterm infants in the early postpartum period.
Methods:In this descriptive correlational study, the participants included 91 mothers of preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Physical health status was measured using a self-reported questionnaire, postpartum depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and guilt using a 4-item scale.
Results:Fatigue had the highest score among mothers' physical health problems, followed by shoulder pain, nipple pain, neck pain. The average postpartum depression score was 11.02 points, and 44% of women had postpartum depression with a score of 12 or above. Postpartum depression significantly was correlated with physical health (r=.35, p=.001), anxiety (r=.84, p<.001), and guilt (r=.75, p<.001) and was significantly higher for women with multiple births, and preterm infants who required ventilator and antibiotic treatment. Anxiety also showed a significant difference according to preterm infants’ condition.
Conclusion:The significant correlations between postpartum depression and physical health, anxiety, and guilt indicate a need for nursing interventions that provide integrated management of mothers’ physical and emotional health.
