The relationship between perceived social support, mental health, and maternal self-efficacy in the care of premature infants in Taleghani and Al-Zahra Hospitals, Tabriz, 2023

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The birth of a premature infant is a potentially stressful event for mothers. Mothers of these infants require adequate general health and self-efficacy to manage this crisis and continue caring for the vulnerable baby. It is essential for nurses to be aware of the social effects, especially family support, on maternal mental health and self-efficacy. This study aims to investigate the relationship between perceived social support, general health, and maternal self-efficacy in the care of premature infants at Taleghani and Al-Zahra hospitals in Tabriz. Methods and Materials: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2023 at Taleghani and Al-Zahra hospitals to investigate the relationship between perceived support and the general health and self-efficacy of mothers in the care of premature infants. Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the ZIMET perceived support questionnaire, the BARENS self-efficacy questionnaire, and the GOLDBERG general health questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the SPSS-Version 26 software, including independent t-tests to compare the mean scores of perceived support, self-efficacy, and general health, and Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients and ANOVA to examine their relationships. Findings: A total of 210 mothers of hospitalized premature infants participated in the study. The mean age of the participating mothers was 28.6±7.21. The mean and standard deviation of the total score of perceived social support based on the Zimet questionnaire were 57.45±6.9.The mean and standard deviation of the total score of general health based on the Goldberg questionnaire were 41.17±78.4. The mean and standard deviation of the total score of self-efficacy based on the BARENS questionnaire were 27.57±26.9. According to Pearson correlation tests, there was a significant positive correlation between perceived social support and maternal self-efficacy (p<0.001), and a significant negative correlation between perceived social support and maternal general health (p=0.009). However, there was no significant correlation between general health and self-efficacy of mothers (p=0.145). Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the importance of perceived social support on maternal self-efficacy and general health among mothers with preterm infants. Higher levels of perceived social support were associated with greater maternal self-efficacy and better general health outcomes. These results emphasize the need for interventions and support systems that promote social support for mothers, as it can positively impact their well-being and parenting abilities.