The effect of empowerment counseling on stress and self-esteem of mothers with hospitalized premature infants

ABSTRACT

Background

This study aimed to investigate the effect of counselling on stress and self-esteem of mothers with hospitalized premature infants.

Materials and Methods

This parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted on 80 primigravida mothers aged 18-40 years, gestational age of 28-34 weeks in 2021 in Iran. The women were randomly assigned to two groups by blocked randomization. The data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire, Paternal Stress Scale and Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire. Individual counselling based on the GATHER model was carried out within two consecutive weeks in four sessions. Data were analyzed with SPSS 24.   

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups in demographic variables, stress, and self-esteem before the intervention (P>0.05). There was a substantial difference in the mean score of self – esteem 9.52±3.22 and 16.75±6.39 (P<0.001), stress 154.65±32.15and 61±10.98 (P<0.001) and different dimensions of stress between the control and intervention groups after the intervention. The most significant reduction occurred in the dimension of appearance and behaviour of the infant (cohen d=3.146).               

Conclusions

The results show counselling with an empowerment approach based on the GATHER model is effective in reducing stress and increasing self-esteem of mothers of premature infants admitted to the intensive care unit.

KEYWORDS:

• Self-esteem
• stress
• consultation
• empowerment
• premature infant
• neonatal intensive care

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences under Grant [number 9906184069].