KUMJ | VOL. 15 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 58 | APRIL-JUNE 2017
Self-Efficacy in Child Rearing and Quality of Life among Adolescent Mothers in the Northeast of Thailand
Sungworawongpana K, Laohasiriwong W, Thinkhamrop B
Abstract: Background
Incidence of adolescent pregnancy has been increasing continuously in Thailand.
These adolescent mothers might face various problems such as social acceptance,
poor knowledge of child rearing with affect their quality of life. However, there
are insufficient studies quality of life and the associated factors of the adolescent
mothers in the biggest region, the Northeast of Thailand.
Objective
To identify the level of quality of life and the association between self-efficacy, ability
in child rearing and quality of life of adolescent mothers in the Northeast of Thailand.
Method
Cross-sectional study with systematic randomization 232 adolescents who gave a
first singleton live birth in a hospital, with data collection done through a structured
questionnaire administration. The multiple logistic regressions were used to
determine the association.
Result
The majority of postpartum adolescent mothers were age 18 years old (52.59%).
All participants were primiparous mothers. Almost all of adolescent mothers had
senior relative within family assisting in child rearing (90.95%). Nearly half of them
(46.98%) had high scores of quality of life on living and child rearing. Most of the
mothers perceived self-efficacy during pregnancy or pre-childbearing in moderate
level (87.93%). However, only 36.64% had high level of self-efficacy on living and
child rearing. Majority had moderate to high scoring of stress on living and child
rearing (65.52%). Only 32.06% received high scoring of social support on living and
child rearing. The multiple logistic regressions were used to measure association of
significant factors by backward elimination. Factors associated with quality of life in
postpartum adolescent mothers were no stress (adjusted odds ratio: AOR = 4.37,
95% CI; 2.29 to 8.30, p-value < 0.001), high level of self-efficacy (AOR = 4.01, 95% CI;
2.04 to 7.88, p-value < 0.001), and high level of social support (AOR = 3.31, 95% CI;
1.74 to 6.31, p-value < 0.001).
Conclusion
Social support, self-efficacy and stress have strong influences on quality of life of
the postpartum adolescent mothers. Therefore relevant sectors should develop
system to improve social support and child rearing competency of adolescent since
pregnancy and postpartum.
Keyword : Adolescent, child rearing, postpartum, quality of life, self-efficacy
