Zeitschrift für Schwangerschaft und Kindergesundheit

Abstrakt

Factors Affecting Maternal Uneasiness With Child-Rearing Comparative Study of Mothers With First-Born Children And Second-Born or Later Children Who Received 3-Month Health Check-Up

Chisato Hayashi, Yoshie Yokoyama and Chikako Murai

Objectives: It is important to note that until now most of the Japanese government services for maternal welfare and child-rearing are for mothers of first children. However, as the number of children increases, the burden of care increases. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors that affect child-rearing uneasiness of mothers with their first child and those with two or more children, by analyzing data obtained from mothers at the 3-month health checkup after delivery in Japan.

Study design: Cross-sectional design

Methods: From April 2005 to December 2009, 2552 infants underwent health checkups designed for infants. The questionnaire included the following maternal factors: maternal age at delivery, birth order, fatigue, disturbed sleep, anorexia, depression, low energy, loneliness, uneasiness, irritation, large gap between reality and perception, financial anxiety, child-rearing support, individuals who can provide advice concerning child-rearing.

Results: It was found that in the first child group, maternal uneasiness was affected by fatigue (OR=3.843), disturbed sleep (OR=2.155), mothers’ loneliness (OR=3.016), feeling a large gap between reality and perception (OR=2.875), feeling irritated (OR=2.093) and financial worry (OR=2.493) and experience of child’s sickness (OR=1.259). On the other hand, in the second or later child group, maternal uneasiness was affected by fatigue (OR=3.781), mothers’ loneliness (OR=3.321), feeling irritated (OR=2.397) and financial worry (OR=2.675), experience of child’s sickness (OR=1.390) and mothers’ deliveries pathologies (OR=1.396).

Conclusions: It is likely that maternal uneasiness with the first child and with the second or later child was affected same factors except a few factors. In Japan, efforts to create a society where parents can give birth and raise children without worry have started. It is very important for families with children to be able to choose and utilize support and services suited to them.