Effect of Psychological Distress and Coping Mechanisms on Maternal Wellbeing of Preterm Mothers in the Accra and Tema Metropolis of Ghana

Abstract

The study examined effects of psychological distress and coping mechanisms on maternal wellbeing of preterm mothers. Hundred (100) preterm mothers from the Tema General Hospital, Police Hospital and SSNIT (Trust) Hospital participated in this study, sampled in proportions of 73, 18 and 9 respectively. A sequential explanatory mixed study design was employed and the instruments for collecting quantitative data were the Kessler 10, the Impact of Event Scale, Brief COPE, Parental Stressor Scale and the Mental Health Continuum Scale Short Form. Results from the analysis showed that Problem-focused coping did not show any significant difference when compared to levels maternal wellbeing. The frail appearance of infant in incubators in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and sight and sounds did not significantly predict psychological distress of preterm mothers and there was a weak negative relationship between mother‟s psychological distress and maternal wellbeing and also between posttraumatic stress reaction and maternal wellbeing. There was also a significant positive relationship between post-traumatic stress reaction and psychological distress. Demographics (age of mother, days in NICU, marital status) did not moderate the relationship between psychological distress and maternal wellbeing. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used in analysing the qualitative data. Financial constraints, employment, stay in mothers‟ hostel, fluctuating weight of baby, care of other children and marital issues were identified as Challenges. Levels of maternal wellbeing revealed the themes physical and psychological wellbeing. Coping mechanisms that were identified were prayer, social support and then education of mothers. The study recommends that Clinical Health Psychologists are needed to bring about holistic healthcare for preterm mothers particularly as some hospitals had none.