HAPPY MAMA Project (PART 1). Assessing the Reliability of the Italian Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale (KPCS-IT) and Parental Stress Scale (PSS-IT): A Cross-Sectional Study among Mothers Who Gave Birth in the Last 12 Months

The purposes of this study were: (1) to adapt two validated questionnaires used to evaluate maternal confidence (KPCS-IT) and maternal stress (PSS-IT) to the Italian context, in order to (2) measure the stress level and the self-efficacy in an Italian sample of mothers. The validation process has provided the construction of an online questionnaire. It was administered on a convenience mothers sample with at least a child aged 0–12 months, twice (T0 and T1) with a two day interval. Assessment of instrument stability over time was estimated by applying test–retest reliability between T0 and T1, and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the second aim. Italian mothers with at least one child living at home aged between 0–12 months were recruited. Statistical reliability methods were applied to assess the internal validity of the two questionnaires. PSS-IT was analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses in order to study the association between KPCS-IT, demographic and maternal characteristics. Statistical significance was established as p < 0.05. The Cronbach’s alpha reported a good level of internal consistency of the questionnaires: PSS-IT alpha = 0.862; KPCS-IT alpha = 0.801. 32% of the mothers declared low maternal confidence and the mean value of PSS-IT was 35.4 (SD = 8). The significant inverse correlation was found between the PSS-IT and the KPCS-IT (coeff = −0.353; p < 0.001): this means that a high level of perceived self-efficacy reduces the maternal stress level. The study identifies that interventions on maternal confidence can be useful to support mothers in the first months after delivery in order to prevent stress risk: the perceived self-efficacy is as a modifiable factor and the results of the study indicate that it significantly reduces the PSS-IT and EPDS scores. In future, more field trials are necessary in order to assess the realistic and feasible interventions on maternal confidence and competence to prevent maternal distress.

The Experiences of Mothers in a Neonatal Unit and Their Use of the Babble App

To better understand the experiences of mothers with an infant admitted to a neonatal unit and ascertain their perspectives on an available information support app, Babble, eight mothers with an infant admitted to a Level II+ neonatal unit were interviewed. Thematic analysis was utilized and responses indicated that mothers of neonates experienced challenges around adapting to the maternal role and managing their expectations of motherhood. Relationships with staff were seen as pivotal in the development of maternal confidence and essential to the overall experience. Mothers prioritized informational support, but how mothers sought out this information depended on their individual needs. Mothers who reported using the Babble app found it to be a helpful supplementary resource, tailorable to their situation. Results suggest that greater staff awareness of parental perspectives and the development of adaptable and diverse resources, ensuring parents are provided with individualized and appropriate care, is needed.

Association of Maternal Confidence and Breastfeeding Practices in Hispanic Women Compared to Non-Hispanic White Women

Understanding modifiable factors related to breastfeeding initiation and duration is critical to increase breastfeeding rates. Maternal parenting confidence is a modifiable factor whose association with breastfeeding duration has not previously been investigated. In a retrospective cohort of 1023 mother-infant dyads, the association between maternal confidence and breastmilk feeding at 6 and 12 months of age were analyzed. The association of breastmilk frequency categories and maternal confidence score at 6 and 12 months was examined using multinomial logistic regression stratified by race, ethnicity, and adjusted for gestational age. We found that breastmilk feeding frequency at 6 months was negatively associated with the maternal confidence score. After stratification by ethnicity, the association was no longer significant. There was no association between human milk feeding frequency at 12 months and maternal confidence score at 12 months. Our results demonstrate the need for additional research to identify modifiable factors to increase breastfeeding rates.

Maternal Perception of Her Child's Body Weight, Child Lifestyle Behavior Problems and Maternal Confidence in Managing These Behaviors

Objectives To assess if child's lifestyle behavior problems (CLBP) and maternal confidence (MC) in managing these CLBP differ between mothers with accurate and inaccurate maternal perception of her child's body weight (MPCW). Methods A correlational study was conducted with 274 dyads (mother/preschool child) residents in Northeastern Mexico. Using a self-administered questionnaire, mothers answered: a) The Lifestyle Behavior Checklist, b) MPCW by word: I think my child is considered …underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese, 3) MPCW by image by selecting an image that represented their child's body weight. Child’ weight and height were measured. Descriptive statistics, Cramer's V, Mann-Whitney test, and ANOVA test were calculated. Results 25.2% of the children (n = 69) were overweight (OW) or obese (OB). Mothers of children were OW-OB had a lower MC than mothers of children with normal weight in CLBP: “eat too fast” (U = 5034, P = 0.001), “eat too much” (U = 5447, P = 0.004) and “eat unhealthy snacks/snacks” (U = 5471, P = 0.001). The CLBP that mothers of children were OW-OB have to manage include: “ eat very fast ”(F = 3.847, P = 0.050), “ discuss for food ”(F = 16.588, P = 0.001) and“ demand extra portions of food ”(F = 5.807, P = 0.017). Regarding the MPCW, 81.2% (n = 56) mothers of children were OW-OB and 18.5% (n = 32) mothers of children are normal weight had inaccurate MPCW by words (V = 355, P = 0.001), and 97.1% (n = 67) mothers of children were OW-OB and 63.0% (n = 109) mothers of children are normal weight had inaccurate MPCW by image (V = 235, P = 0.001). Mothers of OW-OB children with inaccurate MPCW had are more likely to perceived CLBP (Mean = 63.14, DE = 18.148) than those with accurate MPCW (Mean = 49.67, DE = 11,490) (F = 17,041, P = 0.001). Conclusions The inaccurate MPCW can be an obstacle for the mother to recognize the CLBP that she has to manage. Interventions to promote accurate MPCE are recommended. Funding Sources The Mexican National Council of Science and Technology.

Kepercayaan Diri Ibu Berhubungan dengan Perkembangan Anak Usia Pra Sekolah

Ibu memiliki peranan yang sangat penting dalam setiap tahap perkembangan anak. Gangguan perkembangan bicara dan bahasa dialami oleh 8% anak usia prasekolah. Kepercayaan ibu akan kemampuannya untuk merawat anak-anaknya sangatlah diperlukan. Akibat dari kurangnya kepercayaan diri ibu akan mempengaruhi perkembangan anaknya. Tujuan penelitian adalah diketahuinya hubungan kepercayaan diri ibu dengan perkembangan anak usia prasekolah di Kelurahan Benteng Kecamatan Nusaniwe Kota Ambon. Metode : Jenis penelitian adalah cross sectional. Populasinya adalah seluruh anak prasekolah di kelurahan benteng dengan jumlah sampel sebesar 107 orang. Teknik pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan cara purposive sampling. Uji yang digunakan adalah Chi Square. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah kuesioner yang telah diuji validitas dan reliabilitasnya. Hasil Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa jumlah ibu yang memiliki kepercayaan diri yang tinggi (50.5%) juga memiliki anak dengan tingkat perkembangan yang normal (61.7%). Hasil penelitian juga menunjukkan bahwa adanya hubungan antara kepercayaan diri ibu dengan perkembangan anak usia prasekolah (p = 0.001). Kepercayaan diri ibu memiliki peranan penting dan sangat berpengaruh terhadap perkembangan anak usia pra sekolah. Kata kunci: anak usia pra sekolah, kepercayaan diri ibu, perkembangan anak, anak usia pra sekolah THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTHER CONFIDENCE WITH DEVELOPMENT OF PRE-SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ABSTRACTMothers have a very important role in each stage of child development. Speech and language developmental disorders are experienced by 8% of preschool age children. A mother's trust in her ability to care for her children is needed. As a result of lack of confidence in the mother will affect the development of their children. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of maternal confidence with the development of preschool age children in Benteng Subdistrict, Nusaniwe Subdistrict, Ambon City. Method: This type of research is cross sectional. The population is all preschool children in Benteng village with a total sample of 107 people. The sampling technique is done by purposive sampling. The test used is Chi Square. The instrument used was a questionnaire that had been tested for validity and reliability. The results showed that the number of mothers who had high self-confidence (50.5%) also had children with normal developmental levels (61.7%). The results also showed that there was a relationship between maternal confidence with the development of preschool children (p = 0.001). Mother's confidence has an important role and is very influential in the development of pre-school age children. Keywords: child development,, mother's confidence, pre-school age children

Evaluation of Maternal Confidence in Neonatal Care Among Primiparous Pregnant Women in Sari, Iran

Introduction: The first 28 days after birth is one of the most critical neonate life stages and mother is the most important person meeting the basic needs of the baby. Besides the importance of knowledge about neonatal care maternal confidence is also important. The aim of this study was the evaluation of maternal confidence in neonatal care among primiparous pregnant women.Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 445 pregnant women who experienced pregnancy for the first time and referred to maternity care centers for prenatal care were studied. The translated Chinese version of the Maternal Confidence Questionnaire to local language was used. The validity of the questionnaire was approved by three experienced pediatrics professors. Reliability of the questionnaire using the test-retest method examined, 35 pregnant women (selected from a similar setting but out of the study area). Cronbach's alpha with r = 0.81 was acceptable.Results: In this study, information about 445 women were evaluated. The mean age of the subjects was 28.39 years (SD = 4.66, range = 19 - 39). The mean (SD) of the total maternal confidence score was 58.87(3.75), Which included knowledge (21.09 ± 2.1), tasks (22.09 ± 1.8) and feelings (15.67 ± 1.17).Conclusion: Higher maternal confidence was related to knowledge and task subgroups and the feeling subgroup had the lowest score.