Factors Related to Parenting Satisfaction among Mothers of Preschoolers

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to level of satisfaction among mothers of preschoolers. METHODS: Participants were 359 mothers of firstborn healthy preschoolers. The questionnaires were collected from August 1 to November 21, 2012. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: The mean score for degree of mothers' parenting satisfaction was 5.94 out of 7. There were significant differences in the level of parenting satisfaction according to mother's job (t=2.48, p=.014), planned pregnancy (t=3.07, p=.002), number of children (t=2.22, p=.027), and parenting education (F=4.33, p=.005). The environmental variables of age of spouse (F=3.06, p=.048) and monthly income of the household (F=2.87, p=.036) also seemed to have an influence. Analysis of predictors such as the mother's job, planned pregnancy, parenting education, overall health problems, parenting stress, perception of emotional status and behaviors in children, age of spouse, and spouse's support explained 31.5% of the variance in mother's parenting satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The results suggest a need to develop nursing intervention programs for parenting stress reduction, and health programs for fathers to support mothers' child rearing.