Predictors of maternal identity of Korean primiparas

[The Influence of Ego-identity, Parenting Efficacy and Stress Coping Style on Depression in Mothers of Toddlers]

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the influence of ego-identity, parenting efficacy, and stress coping style on depression in mothers of toddlers.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Data were collected from 164 mothers of toddlers, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS for Windows version 24.0.

RESULTS

The factors influencing depression in mothers of toddlers included ego-identity, economic status, and perceived health status. These variables explained 60.0% of depression in mothers of toddlers.

CONCLUSION

Lower ego-identity was associated with more intense depression. Therefore, healthcare providers should develop intervention programs that can improve ego-identity to decrease depression among mothers of toddlers.

The pregnancy experience of Korean mothers with a prenatal fetal diagnosis of congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal congenital heart disease (CHD) is becoming widely available but there is a lack of understanding on such expectant mothers' experiences during pregnancy. This was the first study to investigate the pregnancy experience of Korean mothers with a prenatal fetal diagnosis of CHD.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 mothers regarding their child's prenatal diagnosis of CHD and the adaptive processes during pregnancy. The data were transcribed and analyzed according to the grounded theory framework.

RESULTS

When the diagnosis of fetal CHD was suspected, mothers desperately sought accurate information regarding CHD while hoping in vain for a misdiagnosis. When the definitive diagnosis was made, most pregnant women experienced psychological trauma and pain, framed in the stigma and burden of having an imperfect child. Provision of accurate health advice and emotional support by a multidisciplinary counseling team was crucial at this phase, forming recognition that CHD could be treated. When fetal movements were felt, mothers came to acknowledge the fetus as an independent being, and made their best efforts to protect the fetus from harmful external influences using traditional TaeKyo mindset and practices, which in turn, were helpful in restructuring the meaning of the pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers went through a dynamic process of adapting to the unexpected diagnosis of CHD, which was closely linked to being able to believe that their child could be treated. Early counseling with precise information on CHD, continuous provision of clear explanations on prognosis, sufficient emotional support, and well-designed prenatal education programs are the keys to an optimal outcome.