OBJECTIVES: To study the moderating effect of mother-child relationship in the association between maternal parenting stress and emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children, and to provide reference for the prevention and control of emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children. METHODS: Using a stratified cluster sampling method, 2 049 preschool children were surveyed from November to December 2021, who sampled from 12 kindergartens in Wuhu City, Anhui Province. The emotional and behavioral problems of preschool children were assessed with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship of maternal parenting stress and mother-child relationship with children's emotional and behavioral problems. The PROCESS Macro was used to analyze the moderating effect of conflicted and dependent mother-child relationships in the association between maternal parenting stress and emotional and behavioral problems in these preschool children. RESULTS: Among these preschool children, maternal parenting stress was positively correlated with the scores of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems subscales and total difficulty scores (P<0.001); intimate mother-child relationships were negatively correlated with the scores of conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems subscales and total difficulty scores (P<0.001); conflicted and dependent mother-child relationships were positively correlated with the scores of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems subscales and total difficulty scores (P<0.001). After controlling for relevant confounding factors, conflicted mother-child relationship (β=0.05, P=0.001) and dependent mother-child relationship (β=0.04, P=0.012) were found to have a moderating effect on the association between maternal parenting stress and total difficulty scores in these preschool children. CONCLUSIONS Negative mother-child relationships play a moderating role in the association between maternal parenting stress and emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children. Prevention of emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children should focus on reducing maternal parenting stress and improving negative mother-child relationships.
Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Problem Behavior/psychology* ; Parenting/psychology* ; Emotions ; Mother-Child Relations ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Mothers/psychology*

This study aimed to explore the association of maternal depression with nutrient intake, growth, and development of preterm infants. A cohort study of 201 infants was conducted in Beijing. Based on the gestational age of an infant and status of the mother, the infants were divided into four groups: non-depression-fullterm (64), non-depression-preterm (70), depression-fullterm (36), and depression-preterm (31). Data on sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional intake, growth, and developmental status of children at 8 months (corrected ages) were collected using a quantitative questionnaire, a 24-Hour Dietary Recall, anthropometric measurements, and the Bayley-III scale. A multivariate analysis was used to evaluate the effects of maternal depression and preterm birth on infant growth and development. The energy, protein, and carbohydrate intake in the depression group was lower than the recommended amounts. The depression preterm groups indicated the lowest Z-scores for length and weight and the lowest Bayley-III scores. Preterm infants of depressed mothers are at high risks of poor growth and development delay.
Adult ; Anthropometry ; Beijing ; Child Development ; Cohort Studies ; Depressive Disorder ; psychology ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Mother-Child Relations ; Mothers ; psychology ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nutrition Assessment ; Postpartum Period

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to examine how improving infant sleep impacted the emotional well-being of mothers.

METHODSThe participants were 80 mothers of infants aged 6-12 months; they attended a primary care medical clinic in Adelaide, Australia, for assistance with infant sleep problems. Behavioural intervention consisted of a 45-minute consultation, where verbal and written information describing sleep physiology and strategies to improve infant sleep was provided. Mothers were followed up 2-6 weeks later. Mothers rated their confidence (C), pleasure (P) and frustration (F) on a scale from 0 to 10, and completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 at each consultation. The number of night-time awakenings and time taken to see an improvement in infant sleep were also reported.

RESULTSThere was a significant increase in the C and P scores, and a significant decrease in the F scores (all p < 0.001). The mean total CPF score increased significantly from 14 to 25 (maximum score = 30). There was also a significant decrease in depression, anxiety and stress in the mothers (all p < 0.001). The mean number of maximum night awakenings also decreased significantly, from 4.9 to 0.5 (p < 0.001). The mean time taken to see improved infant sleep, as reported by the mothers, was 2.8 nights.

CONCLUSIONA single consultation using a behavioural strategy to improve infant sleep was effective in improving infant sleep and in increasing maternal emotional well-being. In particular, the scores for 'pleasure in being a mother' increased dramatically.

Adult ; Australia ; Depression, Postpartum ; etiology ; prevention & control ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Care ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Mother-Child Relations ; Mothers ; psychology ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; complications ; prevention & control

PURPOSE: This research was conducted to reveal Japanese mothers' changing perceptions towards their technology-dependent children in the home care setting. METHODS: Fourteen Japanese mothers participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. RESULTS: "Degree of preoccupation with the child" emerged as the category representing the mothers' perceptions towards their child. Three categories emerged that represented the progression of maternal perceptions over time: "accepting the child's conditions", "mastering the management of care in various conditions", and "considering social participation for the child". CONCLUSIONS: First, mothers gradually accepted the conditions of their child after his/her disease and disability were known. Second, others managed technology-required care and concurrently considered the social participation of their child through daily care at home. Third, the level of preoccupation with the child was affected by the mothers' management of care and their attitude towards the social participation of their child in home care. In this study, as is widely alleged in historical recognition of Japan, mothers provided daily care almost without help from other family members. Additionally, they thought it natural and good for their children. Above all, especially in Japan, professional support for mothers are necessary so that they can take breaks from care.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adolescent ; Adult ; *Attitude to Health ; Biomedical Technology ; Caregivers ; Child ; Child Advocacy ; Disabled Children/*psychology ; Female ; Home Care Services ; Humans ; Japan ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mother-Child Relations ; Mothers/*psychology ; Perception ; Personal Autonomy ; Self-Help Devices ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether a blended Infant MassageeParenting Enhancement Program (IMPEP) improved maternal psychosocial health outcomes (parenting stress, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, maternal attachment) and maternal-infant interaction among substanceaddicted mothers (SAMs) actively engaged in outpatient rehabilitation. METHODS: Designed as a randomized, three-group controlled trial testing two levels of psychoeducational intervention (IMPEP vs. PEP) and a control group (standard care parenting resources), the studywas conducted in two substance abuse centers in southeast Florida on a convenience sample of 138 recovering SAM-infant pairs. IMPEP or PEP classes were held weekly onWeeks 2e5, with data collected at baseline (Week 1),Week 6, andWeek 12 via structured interviews, observation (Observation Checklist onMaternal-Infant Interaction), and self-administered questionnaires (Abidin Parenting Stress Index, Beck Depression Inventory, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Muller's Maternal Attachment Inventory), analyzed descriptively and inferentially using Kruskall-Wallis analysis of variance and post hoc Wilcoxon rank sum and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Both IMPEP and PEP groups had significantly increased Parenting Stress Index scores (decreased parenting stress) and decreased Beck Depression Inventory scores (decreased depressive symptoms) compared to controls at Week 12, whereas there were no clinically meaningful differences among study groups in Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Muller's Maternal Attachment Inventory, or Observation Checklist on Maternal-Infant Interaction scores. Only the IMPEP group showed significant improvements in both psychological and physical (waist-hip ratio) measures of parenting stress over time. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that infant massage blended into a structured parenting program has value-added effects in decreasing parenting stress and maternal depressive symptoms, but not on SAM's self-esteem, attachment, or maternal-infant interaction.
Adult ; Depressive Disorder/*prevention & control ; Female ; Florida ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Massage ; Maternal Behavior/*psychology ; Mother-Child Relations/*psychology ; Mothers/*education/*psychology ; Parenting/*psychology ; Program Evaluation ; Self Concept ; Stress, Psychological ; Substance-Related Disorders/*psychology/rehabilitation ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop the self-report Mother-Preschool Child Interaction Scale (MPIS) for mothers of preschool children. METHODS: The scale was based on items derived from literature review and in-depth interviews. A methodological study was used to check reliability and validity and participants were 334 mothers of preschool children enrolled in kindergarten or nursery. Data were analyzed using principal component factor analysis for construct validity, t-test for contrasted group validity, Pearson correlation for criterion related validity and test-retest reliability and Cronbach's alpha for reliability. RESULTS: In the final MPIS 34 items identified through factor analysis were included, 6 constructs were derived, and explanatory power was 64.2%. Items on the MPIS were verified through correlation with the interaction observation scale of Kim & Mahoney and MPIS. Results were significant as mothers in the normal group exhibited MPIS scores that were significantly higher than those of mothers in the depressed group. Reliability of MPIS was .96 and test-retest reliability was .92. CONCLUSION: MPIS has the advantage of being easy to use, economical, and useful. Consequently, it is expected to be used as a screening tool for promptly and simply identifying the mother-preschool child interaction in diverse nursing practice and research.
Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Depression/psychology ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; *Mother-Child Relations ; Mothers/*psychology ; Principal Component Analysis ; Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop a video discharge education program focusing on mother-infant interaction to facilitate the development of maternal role confidence for mothers of premature infants. METHODS: The process of the program was based on the Network-based Instructional System Design suggested by Jung (1999). For the content of the program, needs and concerns of mothers of premature infants found on web sites and existing literature were analyzed. Based on this content, the scenario and the video were developed. Nurses and mothers of premature infants participated in the process of testing the content validity, scenario development, and evaluation of final video production. The final video has two parts and lasts 21 minutes. The first part focuses on mother-premature infant interaction and the second part focuses on health management of infants. RESULTS: Eleven mothers of premature infants participated in the evaluation of the appropriateness of the video as a teaching method and for educational content. They reported that the content on mother-infant interaction, maternal sensitivity, and maternal role confidence was especially beneficial. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that video program is effective for education on maternal-premature infant interaction and the use of video in practical settings is strongly recommended.
Adult ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Infant Care ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; *Mother-Child Relations ; Mothers/*psychology ; Program Development ; Program Evaluation ; *Video Recording

PURPOSE: Mothers' postpartum depression is a worldwide health concern that produces compromising effects on their infants. This study was conducted to compare the infants' temperament and health problems according to the presence of maternal postpartum depression. METHODS: Data were collected from May to October in 2009. The sample was 137 mothers at one month postpartum. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess depressive symptoms. RESULTS: At one month postpartum, 22.6% of mothers were classified as having postpartum depression. Infants of depressed mothers were more frequently classified as difficult temperament infants. They showed lower scores on the amenability, rhythmicity and persistency and higher scores on activity in temperament. Also, infants of depressed mothers reported more infant health problems at one months. Maternal depression showed significant negative correlations with family functioning, social support and marital satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Study findings show that postpartum maternal depression is associated with infants' temperament and health, and thus screening and early interventions for postpartum depression would promote the health of both the mother and infant.
Adult ; Depression, Postpartum/diagnosis/*psychology ; Family Relations ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Behavior/*psychology ; Infant Welfare ; Male ; Maternal Behavior/psychology ; Mother-Child Relations ; Mothers/*psychology ; Postpartum Period ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Questionnaires ; Social Support ; *Temperament ; Time Factors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of music therapy on postpartum blues and maternal attachment of puerperal women. METHODS: The research design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. The participants were puerperal women who agreed to participate in this study and through a convenience sampling, 60 puerperal women were recruited (30 in the experimental group, 30 in the control group). After measuring postpartum blues and maternal attachment, music therapy was provided to the experimental group over 40 min, once a day, and for 8 days. Then, postpartum blues and maternal attachment for the experimental and control group were measured again on the 8th day. The data were analyzed using the SPSS WIN 12.0 Program. RESULTS: The first hypothesis that "the degree of postpartum blues for the experimental group who participated in music therapy would be lower than that of the control group" was accepted (t=4.350, p<.001). The second hypothesis that "the degree of maternal attachment of the experimental group who participated in music therapy would be higher than that of the control group" was accepted (t=4.828, p<.001). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that music therapy has positive influences on decreasing postpartum blues and increasing maternal attachment of puerperal women.
Adult ; Demography ; Depression, Postpartum/*psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Mother-Child Relations ; *Music Therapy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare levels of postpartum fatigue, depression, childcare stress, and maternal identity according to postpartum period between primiparas who used Sanhujori facilities and those who did not. METHODS: The research design was a longitudinal descriptive study using self-report questionnaires. Participants were 55 healthy primiparas who delivered at one of 3 hospitals in Chungnam, 21 using Sanhujori facilities and 34 not using these facilities during the first three weeks after childbirth. Data were collected from October 2008 to April 2009 at three measurement points, 2-4 days after childbirth (T1), 4-6 weeks (T2), and 12-14 weeks (T3). Data were analyzed using the SPSS 17.0 WIN program. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in childcare stress between the two groups at 4-6 weeks after childbirth. Postpartum depression and childcare stress at 4-6 weeks were significantly higher than those of the other postpartum periods, while maternal identity was significantly lower. CONCLUSION: Child care stress is the most important issue among women who use Sanhujori facilities and the 4-6 week period after childbirth is very difficult to primiparas. These results indicate that nursing interventions for primiparas in Sanhujori facilities should focus on reducing childcare stress. Furthermore proper follow-up programs at 4-6 weeks are needed to decrease the difficulties in adjustment by new mothers.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adult ; Depression, Postpartum ; Fatigue ; Female ; *Health Status ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Mother-Child Relations ; Mothers/*psychology ; Parenting/psychology ; Postnatal Care/*methods ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Questionnaires ; Stress, Psychological