Abstract:
The study investigated into the stress and coping strategies among expectant
(pregnant) and lactating (nursing) mothers at the College of Distance
Education, University of Cape Coast. The methodology used in this study was
the descriptive design. Convenience sampling technique was employed to
select five hundred (500) respondents for the study. Three research questions
were formulated and answered using frequency distributions, means and
standard deviations. Similarly, two hypotheses were also tested using two
independent samples t-test. A questionnaire was used in collecting responses
from the participants. The study revealed that the most prevalent type of stress
among expectant and lactating mothers at the College of Distance Education
was Financial Stress and the commonest stressor among expectant and
lactating mothers was respectively “Antenatal attendance” and “Postnatal
attendance”. The finding showed that when expectant and lactating mothers
are under stress, the first and foremost coping strategy they adopt is Passive
Problem Coping. The study further revealed that there is a significant
difference in the stress levels between expectant and lactating mothers as well
as in the coping strategies adopted by them. It was recommended that the
University counsellors should provide counselling, seminars and talks on
stress and its coping strategies for expectant and lactating mothers. Similarly,
stress sensitization seminars should be organized for their husbands and other
family members. The University Management should also come up with clear
policies regarding the welfare of expectant and lactating student-mothers on
distance education programmes in the area of finances and time bound
academic activities such as examinations.
