J Korean Acad Nurs.  2012 Oct;42(5):671-679. 10.4040/jkan.2012.42.5.671.

Effects of an Infant/Toddler Health Program on Parenting Knowledge, Behavior, Confidence, and Home Environment in Low-income Mothers

• Lee G
• Yang S
• Jang MH
• Yeom M

• KMID: 1499494
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.5.671

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a mother/infant-toddler health program developed to enhance parenting knowledge, behavior and confidence in low income mothers and home environment.
METHODS
A one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used. Sixty-nine dyads of mothers and infant-toddlers (aged 0-36 months) were provided with weekly intervention for seven session. Each session consisted of three parts; first, educating to increase integrated knowledge related to the development of the infant/toddler including nutrition, first aid and home environment; second, counseling to share parenting experience among the mothers and to increase their nurturing confidence; third, playing with the infant/toddler to facilitate attachment-based parenting behavior for the mothers.
RESULTS
Following the programs, there were significant increases in parenting knowledge on nutrition and first aid. A significant improvement was found in attachment-based parenting behavior, but not in home safety practice. Nurturing confidence was not significantly increased. The program led to more positive home environment for infant/toddler's health and development.
CONCLUSION
The findings provide evidence for mother-infant/toddler health program to improve parenting knowledge, attachment-based parenting behavior and better home environment in low income mothers. Study of the long term effectiveness of this program is recommended for future research.

Keyword

Infant; Health; Parenting; Home; Poverty

MeSH Terms

Adult
Behavior
Child, Preschool
Female
First Aid
Health Promotion
Humans
Infant
Infant Welfare
Infant, Newborn
Interviews as Topic
Male
Mothers/*psychology
Nutrition Assessment
Parenting/*psychology
Poverty
Program Development
Program Evaluation
Self Efficacy