Maternal Attachment and Healing for Mothers through Kangaroo Care (Skin to Skin Care)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine maternal attachment and healing for mothers through Kangaroo care (skin to skin care) in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This study is one group repeated measure design, also interview data were compared with quantitative data. The convenience sample consisted of 20 mothers and their pre-term infants who were born weighing less than 2,500g. Evaluations were conducted before intervention, 2 weeks after intervention, and before discharge. Measurements used for this study were Healing, of Preterm Child-birth (HPC), Maternal Attachment Inventory Japanese version (MAI-J), and Profile of Mood States (POMS).The results of multiple comparison indicated significant differences in healing of pre-term child-birth between before intervention versus 2 weeks after intervention in the subscale of Relief from distress (p<0.000), and in Accept reality (p<0.03). Furthermore these variables indicated significant differences between before intervention versus before discharge (p<0.000-p<0.001), while Self confidence indicated significant differences only between before intervention versus before discharge (p<0.01). Maternal attachment indicated no significant differences at any time. The subscale of mood states of POMS indicated significant differences before intervention versus 2 weeks after intervention in Depression-Dejection (p<0.02), and between before intervention versus before discharge in Vigor (p<0.01).Qualitative data showed that Kangaroo care reduced the mother's feeling of guilt and uncertainty after 2 weeks of intervention. Because, through skin to skin care the mother felt the infant's movement and breathing, the infant's strength and well being was confirmed. Also, at discharge from the hospital, mothers were confident in being maternal caretakers of infants, and they judged their experiences to indeed be meaningful despite the initial threat of having a premature infant.