The Use Of Kangaroo Mother Care: Coping And Psychological Distress Among Mothers With Preterm Babies In Ghana

Abstract

This study investigated the challenges associated with the practice of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) at home and its impact on mothers' psychological distress (parental stress, depression and anxiety) and they a coping. The study employed a cross-sectional design with 120 preterm mothers from Koforidua as study participants. Participants were recruited by using purposive sampling and convenient sampling. Questionnaires (i.e., Parental Stress Scale, Perceived Stigma, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Brief Symptom Inventory and Brief Cope Inventory) were administered to participants. Multiple regression, One-way ANCOVA and regression (Process Marco) was used to analyze the data. Findings of the study showed that perceived stigma positively predicted parental stress. Perceived social support had a negative impact on parental stress. Additionally, parental stress mediated the relationship between perceived stigma, perceived social support and psychological distress (depression, and anxiety). Finally, preterm mothers used avoidant coping to cope with their psychological distress. In essence, health professionals, policy makers, family and friends as well as preterm mothers should be educated on the psychological distress preterm mothers experienced when performing KMC and provide support and appropriate ways to cope.