Volume 36, Issue 259 (8-2026)
J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026, 36(259): 59-73 |
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Seif F, Ahmadinia F, Khalajinia Z, Aghaali M, Ahmari Tehran H. The Effectiveness of Spiritual Self-Care Education and Daily Journaling on Attachment, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Mothers of Premature Infants. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026; 36 (259) :59-73
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-22847-en.html
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-22847-en.html
Abstract: (34 Views)
Background and purpose: Hospitalization of a premature infant can disrupt mother-infant attachment and place considerable psychological stress on mothers. This study aimed to compare the effects of two spiritual self-care methods and a daily journaling intervention on mother-infant attachment, stress, anxiety, and depression among mothers of hospitalized premature infants.
Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 90 mothers of hospitalized premature infants in two teaching hospitals in Qom in 1402, with participants assigned to three equal groups of 30. Spiritual self-care was delivered through mobile-based learning on a social networking platform in six 45-minute sessions, while the daily journaling intervention was conducted over 14 days based on the mother's daily experiences with her infant. The third group received routine hospital education. Data were collected using two questionnaires, the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (MPAS) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and one month after the intervention. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26 and one-way and repeated-measures analysis of variance.
Results: The mean attachment score increased significantly in both intervention groups at post-test and follow-up (P=0.001). The increase was significantly greater in the spiritual self-care group than in the daily journaling group (P=0.001). The mean scores for depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly lower after the intervention in both intervention groups than in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Spiritual self-care and daily journaling reduced depression, anxiety, and stress and significantly increased mother-infant attachment, with these effects sustained at follow-up. Spiritual self-care and journaling may therefore be useful approaches for strengthening mother-infant attachment and reducing psychological distress among mothers of hospitalized premature infants.
Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 90 mothers of hospitalized premature infants in two teaching hospitals in Qom in 1402, with participants assigned to three equal groups of 30. Spiritual self-care was delivered through mobile-based learning on a social networking platform in six 45-minute sessions, while the daily journaling intervention was conducted over 14 days based on the mother's daily experiences with her infant. The third group received routine hospital education. Data were collected using two questionnaires, the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (MPAS) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and one month after the intervention. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26 and one-way and repeated-measures analysis of variance.
Results: The mean attachment score increased significantly in both intervention groups at post-test and follow-up (P=0.001). The increase was significantly greater in the spiritual self-care group than in the daily journaling group (P=0.001). The mean scores for depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly lower after the intervention in both intervention groups than in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Spiritual self-care and daily journaling reduced depression, anxiety, and stress and significantly increased mother-infant attachment, with these effects sustained at follow-up. Spiritual self-care and journaling may therefore be useful approaches for strengthening mother-infant attachment and reducing psychological distress among mothers of hospitalized premature infants.
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
Medical Ethics
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