Child Health Nurs Res.  2018 Jul;24(3):298-309. 10.4094/chnr.2018.24.3.298.

Experiences of Mothers of Premature Infants Receiving Rehabilitation Therapy

• Kang HJ

• KMID: 2417733
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4094/chnr.2018.24.3.298

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore and develop a deeper understanding of the experiences of mothers of premature children receiving rehabilitation therapy.
METHODS
The participants were 12 mothers with premature children who had received rehabilitation therapy for over 1 year. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted from July to August 2017. The data were analyzed through the phenomenological research method.
RESULTS
The participants' experience was structured into five thematic clusters: "˜Regret and guilt that premature birth led to rehabilitation therapy', "˜Burden of life in an endless tunnel', "˜Changes in personal relationships surrounding me and my child', "˜Meaning of new life through my child', and "˜Desire to expand the rehabilitation of premature infants'.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study will be helpful for developing family-centered care programs for premature infants at high risk of developmental disorders.

Keyword

Premature infant; Rehabilitation; Mothers; Qualitative research

MeSH Terms

Child
Guilt
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Methods
Mothers*
Premature Birth
Qualitative Research
Rehabilitation*