The experience of unmarried mothers raising their children in residential facilities: a phenomenological qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Birth outside of marriage has been gradually increasing in Korea. However, social perception of unmarried mothers is still negative, and a number of them are not accepted by their family. Therefore, the Korean government has implemented a policy to provide financial aid and communal residence to unmarried mothers who cannot raise children with their family, or afford residence. Unmarried young mothers who rely on this government policy have low economic independence and social adaptation skills. Additionally, they have a high chance of encountering numerous challenges in raising children due to their living conditions in residential facilities and social prejudice. This study was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experience of unmarried mothers raising children in residential facilities. METHODS: Data were collected through in-depth interviews with nine unmarried mothers living in residential facilities with their children. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted to analyze the data. RESULTS: The findings revealed that unmarried mothers struggled with various difficulties given the limitations of living in the facility, but attempted to navigate their uncertain future with the determination to be good mothers. Three main themes and eight sub-themes emerged: (1) adaptation to the identity of "unmarried mother", (2) willingly undertaking the heavy burden of childrearing, (3) indispensable but insufficient supports from facilities. Participants had childrearing responsibilities, and tried to be good mothers for their children while struggling to adapt to their new identities. However, their self-doubt as a "good mother" and the absence of the child's father made them feel sorry for their child. Their daily experiences raising children and simultaneously preparing for their own independence were exhausting. The supports from the facilities were helpful but unsatisfactory and led to various psychosocial difficulties such as anxiety, depression, fear, guilty, and anger in unmarried mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Besides information and resources for parenting and independence, active approaches are needed to improve the psychological stability of unmarried mothers raising their children in facilities, and sustain a long-term socioeconomic support system. Thoughtful services tailored to mothers and children are also needed, instead of standardized services.

Intervention Studies on the Enhancement of Self-Concept Among Adolescent Mothers: A Systematic Review.

Self-concept affects the overall process of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting among adolescent mothers. The current systematic review explores intervention studies on the enhancement of self-concept among adolescent mothers, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. English and Korean literature published within the past 10 years was searched and five articles met the inclusion criteria. To improve self-concept among adolescent mothers, especially self-esteem, it was deemed necessary to strengthen a balanced capacity of physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and developmental aspects, based on a comprehensive assessment. To provide effective intervention, it was essential to reflect the cultural characteristics of adolescent mothers' native countries. Lectures were confirmed as a representative method of enhancing self-concept and participatory learning methods, such as group discussions, group activities, practical skills training, and supervision, were considered effective for enhancing self-esteem by strengthening not only knowledge but also the motivation of adolescent mothers. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(3), 31-39.].

Effectiveness of a natural wellness group program using interactive real-time video for unmarried mothers: A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Unmarried mothers who raise their children alone in South Korea experience various difficulties in maintaining their health. Improving the health of unmarried mothers, who are socioeconomically vulnerable, is important not only for them but also for the healthy growth and development of their children. We aimed to implement a natural wellness group program using an interactive real-time video platform for unmarried mothers and to verify its effects. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study utilized a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. The participants were unmarried mothers raising children aged 0-6 years. The quantitative data collection occurred from August to November 2021. For the qualitative data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants from the experimental group. The experimental group received eight 90-minute weekly online sessions, whereas the control group received no intervention. The outcome variables were physical and mental health, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and parenting stress. RESULTS: A total of 42 unmarried mothers (21 experimental, 21 control) participated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed significant post-intervention differences in mental health, depression, and self-esteem in the experimental group. Moreover, a generalized estimating equation analysis revealed significant differences in self-esteem levels between the experimental and control groups. Four themes identified through qualitative analysis revealed that the natural wellness group program using interactive real-time video not only increased mothers' vitality and relaxation but also improved depression and anxiety, and had a positive effect on parenting stress. CONCLUSIONS: Natural wellness group programs using interactive real-time videos can help improve the psychological health of unmarried mothers with young children, a group that tends to be socially and psychologically marginalized.

eHealth Literacy, Awareness of Pandemic Infectious Diseases, and Healthy Lifestyle in Middle School Students.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis worldwide. This pandemic has led to the spread of online misinformation, closure of schools, postponement of re-opening of schools, and restrictions on healthy outdoor activities. These, in turn, have caused a disruption in the daily life of middle school students. This study aimed to identify the relationships between eHealth literacy, awareness of pandemic infectious diseases, and healthy lifestyle in middle school students. For this purpose, we conducted a descriptive, correlational study in two cities in the capital of South Korea. A total of 138 middle school students completed self-reported questionnaires about eHealth literacy, awareness of pandemic infectious diseases, and healthy lifestyle. Middle school students displayed moderate levels of eHealth literacy (3.72 ± 0.97), awareness of pandemic infectious diseases (3.33 ± 0.92), and healthy lifestyle (2.98 ± 0.72). Positive correlations were found between eHealth literacy and awareness of pandemic infectious diseases (r = 0.44, p < 0.001), between eHealth literacy and healthy lifestyle (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), and between awareness of pandemic infectious diseases and healthy lifestyle (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that eHealth literacy may be an important aspect of increasing the awareness about pandemic infectious diseases and forming healthy lifestyle habits in Korean middle school students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Development of a Health Promotion Program for Unmarried Mothers Living in Residential Facilities Using Urban Forests: An Intervention Mapping Approach Based on the Transtheoretical Model.

Unmarried mothers living in residential facilities (UMLFs) in Korea face complex and challenging physical, psychological, and socioeconomic issues. This study developed a physical and mental health promotion program using urban forests for UMLFs based on the transtheoretical model and evidence. We utilized an intervention mapping approach (IMA) and assessed the needs of UMLFs by analyzing previous quantitative studies. Moreover, we conducted a qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study involving nine participants. Based on the needs assessment, important and changeable determinants were identified; further, the program performance and change objectives were classified to achieve the program goals and establish the intervention strategy. We found that physical activity using forests, self-reflection using metaphors, five-sense activities, achievement activities using natural objects, building interpersonal relationships in the forest, and designing future plans, are desirable methods for improving the health of UMLFs. The IMA was deemed appropriate for the systematic development of health promotion programs for UMLFs through clear links among change objectives, theoretical methods, and practice strategies. These results should be applied to future intervention studies.