• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.49-66
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• 2000

Pregnancy is a task of creation in which a women mobilizes her self and the resources available to her in the generation of a new person. Through the pregnancy, a mother has formed the new human relationship with a fetus. Maternal-fetal relationship is considered one of mechanism making the relationship of mother and child. It is important to well-being of mother and fetus, too. The earliest interaction between a mother and her child is during prenatal period. Maternal-fetal dyad is unique and perceived interactions with the fetus make the pregnancy real for the mother. Maternal behavior is "instinctive" and is formed in early childhood by copy of the mother. But, Rubin argues that this behavior is an open intellectual system rather than a prepackaged bundle of traits. There is openness to new learning and a high value placed on knowing which occurs with silent organization in thought. Thus, nurses and other health professionals provide prenatal care that optimally is part of the environment in which the maternal-fetal dyad develops. Thus it is appropriate for nurses to increases their understanding of the dyad and to explore ways to enhance its development. This study focusses on the interaction ability and response of fetus, and the maternal-fetal interaction. The research of fetal responses that involve physiological changes and motor movement have been shown to coccur to both external sensory stimuli and to maternal emotional states. The fetus does also have sensory capacity to be aware of some maternal behaviors, and the motor ability to respond in a way the mother can notice. Thus, very rudimentary interactions appear to be possible. Maternal awareness of fetal activity was supported by several studies. More interesting to the present study are description of maternal-fetal interaction and the finding that there appear to be levels of sensitivity to the fetus involved in maternal-fetal interactions. First, recognition comes that the fetus is separate from the maternal self. Next, the fetus engages in. Lastly, the parent may describe active interaction with the fetus, believing that mother and fetus are communicating on a meaningful level. Several interventions, developed to promote more active interaction between mother and fetus, have been reviewed. In general, the parents were taught to stimulate the fetus and to notice the fetus' responses. This type of intervention might increase the mother's sensitivity to her unborn baby, and she may have a head start toward learning how to res pond sensitivity to the newborn infant. Research In the area of maternal-fetal interaction is scarce. Sensitive behavior is construed as an appropriate and timely response to a signal of need from another person, but no such signal of need can be claimed regarding the fetus. The highest level of maternal-fetal interaction, therefore, might be based more on maternal representations of the imagined fetus than on factual evidence of fetal participation.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.265-272
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a Maternal-Fetal Interaction Belief Scale (MFIBS). Method: The research design was a methodological study. The items generated for this scale were drawn from a comprehensive literature review. Content validity was established for the MFIBS. The 26-item scale was developed to measure the construct of the MFIBS during pregnancy and tested on 186 pregnant women. Results: The final tool consist of 20 items which were sorted into 6 factors by factor analysis. The factors were identified as 'influence of pregnancy (5 items)', 'ability of fetus (3 items)', 'maternal-fetal interaction behavior (3 items)', 'practice of taegyo (3 items)', 'ability of infant (3 items)', and 'taemong (3 items)'. The six factors explained 62.37% of the total variance in the MFIBS. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency was .81 and the reliability of the subscales ranged from .60-.85 Guttman split-half coefficient was .66. Conclusions: This scale proves to be a effective, useful tool and suitable in Korean women for measuring the Maternal-Fetal Interaction Belief. Future studies are required for further refinement of the scale.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.104-113
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a prenatal parental role education program. Methods: The participants were healthy primiparous women and their healthy newborn babies. 57 mother-infant diads(27 in the intervention group, 30 in the control group). For the intervention group, an additional 4 prenatal parental role education programs and 2 postnatal telephone calls(1st & 3rd week after birth) were provided. Data were analyzed by frequency, chi-square test, t-test and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS PC+ 10.0 program. Results: Significant differences were found in self-confidence in maternal role performance, mother-infant interaction and infant physical growth between the two groups. This result indicate that the intervention program was effective in improving self-confidence in maternal role performance, mother-infant interaction and in facilitating infant physical growth. Conclusions: The prenatal parental role education program developed by the author was a very effective program in promoting maternal self-confidence, mother-infant interaction, and fostering infant's physical growth at 4 weeks after infant's birth.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.84-92
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• 2020

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing maternal identity in pregnant women. Methods: Using a descriptive research design, a cross-sectional survey was conducted. In total, 127 pregnant women were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Korea from January to April 2019. Measurements included maternal identity, stress, depression, spousal and familial support, and demographic and obstetric characteristics. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The mean score for maternal identity was 131.15 out of 160, and the mean scores for stress, depression, and spousal and familial support were 14.59 (out of 40), 6.82 (out of 30), and 109.04 (out of 132), respectively. Stress (r=-.38, p<.001), depression (r=-.37, p<.001), and spousal and familial support (r=.37, p<.001) were significantly correlated with maternal identity. In multiple regression analysis, stress (β=-0.27, p=.005) and spousal and familial support (β=0.23, p=.014) were found to be significant factors influencing maternal identity in pregnant women (F=14.19, p<.001). Conclusion: It is necessary to develop effective strategies to mitigate stress and to encourage spousal and familial support in pregnant women. Such strategies could further enable pregnant women to enhance their maternal identity.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.104-112
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the mediating effect of family support in the relationships of anxiety and depression with maternal-fetal attachment among pregnant women admitted to the maternal-fetal intensive care unit (MFICU) in Korea. Methods: The participants were high-risk pregnant women with a gestational age of at least 20 weeks who were admitted to MFICUs in Busan and Yangsan. The Korean versions of four measurement tools were used for the self-report questionnaire: Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Cobb's family support measurement, and Cranley's maternal-fetal attachment scale. Data were collected from June 22 to September 20, 2020. Out of 124 participants, data from 123 respondents were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were done. Results: The average age of participants was 34.1 years. Their anxiety level was moderate (43.57±11.65 points out of 80) and 53.6% were identified as having moderate depression (average 10.13±5.48 points out of 30). Family support was somewhat high (average 43.30±5.03 points out of 55). The average score of maternal-fetal attachment was also somewhat high (73.37±12.14 points out of 96). Family support had a partial mediating effect in the relationships of anxiety and depression with maternal-fetal attachment among high-risk pregnant women admitted to the MFICU. Conclusion: Maintaining family support is challenging due to the nature of the MFICU. Considering the mediating effect of family support, establishing an intervention plan to strengthen family support can be helpful as a way to improve maternal-fetal attachment for high-risk pregnant women admitted to the MFICU.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.338-347
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• 2022

Purpose: The incidence of high-risk pregnancies is increasing in Korea as the birth age increases due to late marriage. Maternal-fetal attachment is an important factor that affects children even after childbirth, but it is difficult for high-risk pregnant women to form maternal-fetal attachment. The current study aimed to explore whether taegyo practice (i.e., pregnant women's efforts for fetal good growth and development), self-esteem, and social support influenced the degree of maternal-fetal attachment in women with high-risk pregnancies. Methods: The participants included 226 pregnant Korean women at ≥20 gestational weeks, hospitalized with 15 high-risk pregnancy conditions as defined by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Recruitment via convenience sampling was done at four sites in Busan, Korea. Surveys were distributed and collected from February 1 to 28, 2022. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, the t-test, one-factor analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: On average, participants were 33.97±4.23 years of age and at 31.65±6.23 gestational weeks. Preterm labor (35.4%) and gestational diabetes (21.0%) were the most common high-risk conditions. Maternal-fetal attachment was positively correlated with taegyo practice (r=.70, p<.001), self-esteem (r=.53, p<.001), and social support (r=.53, p<.001), all with statistical significance. Taegyo practice (β=.50, p<.001) and social support (β=.17, p=.030) explained 53% of variance in maternal-fetal attachment in women with high-risk pregnancies. Conclusion: Nurses caring for women with high-risk pregnancies during hospitalization can use these findings by promoting taegyo practice and enhancing social support to increase maternal-fetal attachment.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.280-291
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• 2002

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the maternal child health services provided by public health centers in Pyungtaek city. Methods: Data were collected based on multiple sources of official records. A questionnaire survey was obtained from 50 mothers with premature babies, and 89 mothers with full- term babies, in order to compare their demographic factors, and physical, obstetrical, and emotional status. In addition, the investigators collected data on pre and post follow-up care for the remature group to evaluate the effects of home visiting services on them. Moreover, additional data were collected from 135 pregnant women and 315 mothers with infants, to assess their degree of satisfaction for prenatal education course and breast feeding practices. Results: 1) The pregnant women's satisfaction for the prenatal education course, knowledge, and practices on self care were considered to be high. 2) Of the mothers with infants, 62.9% experienced breast feeding, but only 35.9% of them did it for six months. 3) Premature birth rate in the region was 5.6%, and 75.6% of all premature babies received follow-up care. 4) The mothers with premature babies experienced premature rupture of membrane. placenta previa, preeclampsia, and cesarean section more frequently than the mothers with full-term babies. 5) At the pre-intervention data collection point. mothers with premature babies experienced significantly less social support than mothers with full-term babies. In addition, mothers with premature babies reported higher levels of stress and care-giving burdens, and lower level of self esteem, than mothers with full-term babies, although the differences were not statistically significant. 6) In the premature group, stress, care giving burdens, and postpartum depression decreased after the intervention, whereas maternal self esteem, and the husband's support were increased after the intervention. Social support from significant others were somewhat decreased. 7) Satisfaction for the home visiting service in the mothers with premature babies was very high. Conclusion: These results showed a possibility that the recently started maternal child health services provided by the public health centers may be efficient. Although statistically significant differences were not found, the investigators found a potential for changes in a positive direction. Long-term effects of the health services on maternal child health needs should be addressed in future studies.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.46-58
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect on maternal perception of her infant and the infant's behavior development through maternal education designed to provide information of the capabilities and the individual characteristics of her infant. The subjects were 48 pairs of normal infants and mothers at three different hospitals, 24 pairs for the intervention group and 24 pairs of the control group. The survey was conducted from July 30 to October 6, 2001. The results of this study were as the following. A maternal perception of her infant was significantly different between the two groups, more positive in the intervention group than in the control group. The information and understanding of behavioral characteristics of the infant are an important factor influencing maternal perception for her infant and general development of the infant. On the basis of these results, the educational intervention method of this study may be worth utilizing in nursing practice. The practitioners of hospitals have to establish a system that it offers an education of understanding the infant's behavioral characteristics during the hospitalization after delivery.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.117-124
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sensory stimulation conducted by primiparas on mother-infant interaction, maternal self-esteem and infant temperament. Method: A non-equivalent control group post-test study design was used. The data were collected from December 1, 2001 to March 30, 2003. The participants were 39 primiparas with normal birth weight infants. They were divided into two groups, 20 mothers in the intervention group and 19 in the control group. The mothers in the intervention group were given instruction on sensory stimulation by the researcher, and the mothers, in turn, used this technique on their infants twice a day during the first 2 months of life. Both groups were measured for maternal self-esteem and infant temperament using the maternal self-report inventory (MSRI) and What My Baby Is Like (WBL) and a film was made of the feeding situation when each infant was between 8 and 10 weeks of age. Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher scores in mother-infant interaction, maternal self-concept and infant temperament. Conclusion: This suggests that sensory stimulation conducted by primiparas may improve the mother-infant interaction, maternal self-esteem and infant temperament.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.45-54
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of music therapy on postpartum stress and maternal attachment of puerperal women. Methods: The participants were puerperal women who agreed to participate in this study and through a convenience sampling, 84 puerperal women were recruited (40 in the experimental group, 44 in the control group). After measuring postpartum stress and maternal attachment, music therapy was provided to the experimental group over 60min, three times a week, and for 2 weeks. Then, postpartum stress and maternal attachment for the experimental and control group were measured again before discharge. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 14.0 program. Results: The first hypothesis that "the degree of postpartum stress for the experimental group who participated in music therapy would be lower than that of the control group" was accepted. The second hypothesis that "the degree of maternal attachment the experimental group who participated in music therapy would be higher than that of the control group" was accepted. Conclusion: These findings indicate that music therapy has positive influences on decreasing postpartum stress and increasing maternal attachment of puerperal women.