The relationship between mothers' knowledge and practice level of cough etiquette and their children's practice level in South Korea

Purpose

This study investigated the relationships between mothers' knowledge and practice level of cough etiquette and their children's practice level of cough etiquette as perceived by their mothers.

Methods

This study was a descriptive correlational study. The data were collected from 160 mothers with preschoolers attending daycare centers and kindergartens in Gwangju, South Korea using self-reported questionnaires.

Results

The correct answer rate for cough etiquette knowledge in mothers was 86.0%, mothers' average practice score was 33.65±4.14, and their children's average practice score was 28.39±4.85 out of 48. The correlation between mothers' cough etiquette knowledge and practice level was not statistically significant. However, mothers' cough etiquette practice was positively correlated with children's cough etiquette level as perceived by mothers (r=.35, p<.001).

Conclusion

The development of a systematic cough etiquette education program and measurements for both mothers and children according to their developmental stages is important to effectively prevent respiratory infections.

Relationship between paternal psychological distress and involvement in childcare among fathers of preschool-aged children: mediating effect of maternal psychological distress

Background

The role of the father as a co-caregiver is becoming increasingly important across cultures. Parental psychological distress is an influencing factor of maladaptive parenting behaviors and negative psychosocial outcomes in children. Considerable research has focused on psychological distress in parents, commonly experienced during the childrearing years; however, the relationship between paternal psychological distress and fathers’ involvement in childcare has been less studied. This study aimed to examine this relationship.

Methods

This study explored the relationship between parental psychological distress and fathers’ involvement in childcare by analyzing data from 1541 children and their parents from the 2011 Panel Study on Korean Children. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6-Item Psychological Distress Scale. Fathers’ involvement in childcare was measured in terms of the quality and quantity of involvement, using a Father’s Childcare Involvement Scale completed by mothers and the daily hours spent by fathers in childcare.

Results

The mean scores for paternal and maternal psychological distress were 5.26 ± 4.20 and 5.79 ± 4.42, respectively; for the quality of fathers’ involvement in childcare, 14.46 ± 2.63; and for the quantity of fathers’ involvement, 2.53 ± 1.62. Paternal psychological distress was significantly correlated with maternal psychological distress and fathers’ involvement in childcare. Maternal psychological distress demonstrated a partial mediating effect on the relationship between paternal psychological distress and the quality of fathers’ involvement in childcare for preschool-aged children (β = −.085, p < .001); this effect was significant (Sobel test; Z = 3.13, p = .002). Further, maternal psychological distress demonstrated a complete mediating effect on the relationship between paternal psychological distress and the quantity of fathers’ involvement in childcare (β = −.065, p = .018); this effect too was significant (Sobel test; Z = 2.38, p = .018).

Conclusions

Paternal psychological distress influenced the quality and quantity of fathers’ involvement in childcare and was mediated by maternal psychological distress. To promote fathers’ involvement in childcare, a family-centered approach for childcare should reflect the triadic interaction of father–mother–child. These findings have implications for primary health professionals, as well as policymakers who design community health programs for early childhood.

Parenting Stress and Maternal-Child Interactions Among Preschool Mothers From the Philippines, Korea, and Vietnam: A Cross-Sectional, Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

To promote child development, parenting stress, and maternal-child interactions among mothers of various nationalities must be understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate maternal-child interactions according to the mother's nationality among married immigrant mothers from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Korea.

METHOD

This study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional design. Inclusion criteria were mothers who had children of preschool age.

RESULTS

A total of 348 mothers were interviewed: 142 Korean mothers, 84 immigrant mothers from the Philippines, and 122 immigrant mothers from Vietnam. Parenting stress ( p < .001) and maternal-child interactions ( p = .023) differed according to the mother's nationality.

CONCLUSIONS

By delineating the nurturing characteristics of each country, the results of this study can help immigrant mothers develop maternal-child relationships that aid culturally congruent adjustment to their new culture.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The characteristics of maternal-child interactions according to the mother's nationality may inform parent education in multicultural societies.