Breaking the maternity mold: navigating the return to work and challenging rigid maternal beliefs through an online psychological intervention.

Working mothers must often balance work and family responsibilities which can be affected by rigid and irrational beliefs about motherhood. The present study had two aims: (a) to provide psychometric evidence for a shortened Italian version of the Rigid Maternal Beliefs Scale (RMBS) and (b) to facilitate mothers' return to work after maternity leave by reducing perceptions of anxiety and stress related to rigid maternal beliefs (i.e., perceptions and societal expectations of mothers, maternal confidence, maternal dichotomy) and by teaching specific recovery strategies (e.g., relaxation, mastery experiences) to manage anxiety and stress through an online psychological intervention. Results replicated the three-factor structure of the original RMBS and showed good psychometric properties. The online psychological intervention resulted in decrease in the rigidity of maternal beliefs, perceived anxiety and stress, and increase in recovery strategies. These initial results are promising and encourage further investigation into online psychological interventions for improving the well-being of working mothers.

Maternal beliefs about the benefits and costs of child and adolescent friendship.

The goals of this study were to examine maternal beliefs about the primary benefits and costs of their children's time spent with friends, and to explore child age and gender differences in these beliefs. Participants were N = 512 mothers (Mchildage = 10.18 years; 11% ethnic minority). Open-ended responses to questions about the benefits and costs were coded and analysed, with results indicating that mothers consider opportunities for social skills and social-cognitive development a primary benefit of spending time with friends. Negative friend influence was the most commonly cited cost of friendship. Child age was associated with a number of maternal beliefs (e.g., mothers of adolescents were more likely than mothers of young children to report intimacy as a benefit), but child gender was not. Findings highlight the importance of considering child age in studies of maternal beliefs about friendship and set the stage for future research in this area.

Napping alone in the snow and cuddling with mommy at night: An exploratory, qualitative study of Norwegian beliefs on infant sleep.

This study addresses Norwegian infants' sleeping places during the day and night. In the first part we asked the general public to indicate where they think infants should sleep by placing stickers on a depiction of different sleeping places. This revealed that infants were expected to predominantly sleep outside in a stroller during the day and either bedshare, room share or sleep independently from their parents at night. Interviews with Norwegian mothers confirmed these patterns and revealed that mothers emphasized the benefits of fresh air and being out in nature. They expressed valuing independence, though their opinions on how this could be achieved diverged, some proposing independent, other co-sleeping. Other outcomes of sleeping arrangements were rarely mentioned. Some, particularly mothers whose children bedshared or had different sleeping places from one night to the other or throughout the night, emphasized the infants' right to choose how to sleep. None of the mothers endorsed letting infants cry themselves to sleep but many mentioned the importance of the child feeling secure. We argue that the seemingly contradictory sleeping patterns is in line with cultural values for independence, social cohesion and a love of nature.

Longitudinal Study of Maternal Beliefs About Infant Crying During the Postpartum Period: Interplay With Infant's Temperament.

Infant crying is an important signal for their survival and development, and maternal beliefs about crying predict responsiveness to crying. Most studies have considered caregivers' reactions to crying to be fixed, and it is unclear how they change with their caregiving experience. Additionally, it has recently been suggested that there is a bidirectional relationship between changes in mothers' beliefs about crying and infants' temperament. This study examined that relationship using a longitudinal study design. Maternal beliefs about crying and infant temperament of 339 Asian first-time mothers (mean age = 28.7 years, SD = 4.1) were measured at 1-month intervals over 4 months. There were 289 participants in Wave 2, 240 in Wave 3, and 164 in Wave 4. Prior to the main survey, we conducted a pre-survey to confirm the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Infant Crying Questionnaire. The results showed that parent-oriented beliefs, which focus on the caregiver rather than the crying infant, increased in mothers who had infants aged 3 months or older at Wave 1. We also found that the process of change in maternal beliefs was not uniform, and that infants high on surgency predicted changes in maternal beliefs about infant crying. Longitudinal studies of caregivers' changes, such as the present study, are expected to contribute to understanding the co-development of caregivers and infants.

Piloting a food photo sorting activity in Samoa to assess maternal beliefs and their role in child diet.

Eating habits begin forming early in life when parental beliefs and behaviours often play a major role in shaping dietary intake. We aimed to assess maternal beliefs about the cost, social status, and nutritional value of foods in Samoa-a setting with an alarming burden of childhood obesity-and to determine how those beliefs may be related to child dietary intake. Samoan mothers (n = 44) sorted photographs of 26 foods commonly consumed in children in Samoa by cost, social status, and nutritional value (healthfulness). Responses were then assessed for their association with child dietary intake (reported using a food frequency questionnaire) using Pearson correlations. Mothers indicated that traditional Samoan foods were healthier, of higher social status, and lower cost compared with non-traditional/imported food items. Compared with nutritional experts and a market survey of food prices, mothers demonstrated strong nutritional (r = .87, 95% CI [0.68, 0.95], p < .001) and consumer (r = .84, 95% CI [0.68, 0.93], p < .001) knowledge. The perceived cost of food was more strongly associated (r = -.37, 95% CI [-0.66, 0.02], p = .06) with child dietary intake than either healthfulness or social status, with decreasing consumption reported with increasing food cost. Our findings contradicted the notion that the high social status of imported foods may be contributing to increased intake and rising prevalence of childhood obesity in this developing country setting. Despite their nutritional knowledge, Samoan mothers may need additional support in applying their knowledge/beliefs to provide a healthy child diet, including support for access to reasonably priced healthy foods.

Risk factors for obesity in preschool-aged children in China.

AIMS: To examine the relationship between child, mother, and environmental factors and increased body mass index in preschool-aged children in China. BACKGROUND: There are about 120 million children in China are classified as overweight or obese. Understanding the key factors associated with childhood obesity (i.e. child, mother and environment) is the first step in combating the growing obesity epidemic in China, as well as in the global community, where large numbers of Chinese immigrants can be found. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used. Each child's weight and height were measured by trained assistants, whereas mothers were asked to complete several questionnaires including family demographic, family eating and activity habit and child feeding practices. Mothers also reported their own as well as the father's height, weight and waist circumference. Linear regression models were used. FINDINGS: The overweight and obesity prevalence was 22% for children, 7% for mothers and 82% for fathers. Children spent an average of 1.2 h (72 min) engaged in physical activities and 0.76 h (46 min) in sedentary time including TV watching or computer and video games playing per day. Factors associated with a child's higher body mass index included maternal beliefs regarding the child's susceptibility to obesity, their own susceptibility to obesity, a child's more advanced age and more unhealthy food stimulus exposure at home. CONCLUSION: Because a mother's health behaviours may influence their child's health behaviours and they are a crucial model for the family and children, childhood obesity prevention needs to include mothers and focus on building a healthy home environment for the family. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: Understanding factors associated with childhood obesity can assist researchers and clinicians to develop culturally sensitive and evidence-based programmes and policy to reduce this global epidemic.

Maternal beliefs about autism: A link between intervention services and autism severity in White and Latino mothers.

Variation in parental beliefs about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may impact subsequent service use profiles. This study aimed to examine (1) variation in beliefs about ASD among English language proficient White (EP-W) mothers, English language proficient Latino (EPL) mothers, and limited English language proficient Latino (LEP-L) mothers of children with ASD; (2) variation in beliefs about ASD in the context of the child's ASD severity, among EP White mothers, EP Latino others, and LEP Latino mothers; and (3) potential links between maternal beliefs about ASD and children's current ASD treatment. This multi-site study included 305 English or Spanish-speaking parents of children with ASD, ages 2-10 years, who completed a survey about their beliefs about their child's ASD, their child's ASD severity, and treatments used by their children. Results showed that mothers in the EP-W, EP-L, and LEP-L groups differed in their beliefs about viewing ASD as a mystery. Only maternal views of ASD severity in the EP-W group were linked to their beliefs about ASD. Finally, maternal beliefs about ASD having major consequences on their child's life, and ASD being a mystery were strongly associated with a child's use of ASD intervention services. These findings provide new knowledge of how maternal beliefs about ASD vary in linguistically diverse groups, how a child's ASD severity may influence such beliefs, and how maternal beliefs correlate with the amount of therapy children with ASD receive. Future research should address how these beliefs or views are formed, what factors influence them, or whether they are malleable. Understanding parents' beliefs or views of having a child with ASD can potentially help us increase use of ASD intervention services in families of children with ASD.

Depressão pós-parto materna: crenças, práticas de cuidado e estimulação de bebês no primeiro ano de vida / Postpartum depression beliefs and practices of mother care / Depresión posparto, creencias y prácticas de cuidado de la madre

Após o nascimento a interação do recém-nascido com o mundo é facilitada pela mãe. Estudos indicam que mães deprimidas podem interagir pouco com seu bebê, gerando déficits comportamentais e cognitivos ao longo do desenvolvimento. Desta forma este estudo pretendeu descrever e relacionar o índice de depressão pós-parto apresentado por mães de bebês e as práticas e crenças sobre cuidado primário e estimulação. Foi utilizada a "Escala de Edinburgh de Depressão Pós-Parto - EPDS" e a "Escala de crenças parentais e práticas de cuidado (E-CPPC) na primeira infância". Os resultados obtidos com 132 mães indicaram sintomas de depressão para 29,5% da amostra. Com relação às práticas houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos clínicos e não clínicos na dimensão Estimulação, indicando que mães deprimidas podem interagir e estimular menos seus bebês. Desta forma têm-se aí um grupo de risco em que a díade deve ser cuidada garantindo saúde e um desenvolvimento adequado.

After birth the interaction between parents and children starts, studies indicate that depressed mothers can interact less with your baby, it can causing behavioral and cognitive deficits throughout development. This study aimed to describe and relate the postpartum depression index presented by mothers of babies and, practices and beliefs about primary care and stimulation. As a method was used the "Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale - EPDS" and the "Scale of parental beliefs and care practices (E-SCLC) in early childhood". The results indicated that 132 mothers had depression symptoms, 29.5% of the sample. At the practices were significant differences between clinical and non-clinical groups in Stimulation dimension, indicating that depressed mothers can interact and stimulate less their babies. Setting up a risk group in which the dyad should receive special care in order to ensure proper development.

Después del nacimient do bebé la interacción se inicia, los estudios indican que las madres deprimidas pueden interactuar menos, esto puede causar déficits conductuales y cognitivos en desarrollo . Este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir y relacionar el índice de depresión posparto de madres, su prácticas y creencias acerca de la atención y la estimulación. Se ha utilizado como método la "Escala de Depresión Postparto Edimburgo - EPDS" y "Escala de creencias de los padres y las prácticas de atención (E-SCLC) en la primera infancia". Los resultados indicaron que 132 madres tenían síntomas de depresión (29,5 %). En las prácticas se encontraron diferencias entre los grupos clínicos y no clínico en dimensión de Estimulación, lo que indica que las madres deprimidas pueden interactuar y estimular menos a sus bebés. Son un grupo de riesgo, la díada debe recibir atención especial con el fin de garantizar el desarrollo adecuado.

Crenças maternas sobre o desenvolvimento sociocomunicativo de bebês / Maternal beliefs about the sociocommunicative development of babies / Creencias maternas sobre el desarrollo sociocomunicativo de los bebés

As crenças maternas são representações internas que guiam o comportamento da mãe em relação ao bebê. Este estudo investigou as crenças acerca do desenvolvimento sociocomunicativo de bebês nos três primeiros meses de vida. Participaram do estudo 20 mães, residentes na cidade de Campina Grande-PB, de diferentes níveis socioeconômicos. Foi realizada uma entrevista semiestruturada, gravada e transcrita de forma literal. Os resultados indicam variações nas crenças maternas em função do seu nível instrucional e da idade dos bebês e demonstram que a maioria das mães concebe que o modo de cuidar do seu filho influencia o desenvolvimento infantil. As mães acreditam que desde os primeiros meses após o nascimento, o bebê é capaz de compreender acontecimentos do meio no qual vive e de se comunicar com as mesmas. Esses resultados oferecerem novas informações para a literatura e podem subsidiar o planejamento de políticas públicas através de programas de orientação sobre desenvolvimento infantil às mães.(AU).

The maternal beliefs are internal representations that guide the mother's behavior of regarding the babies. This study investigated the maternal beliefs about the development sociocommunicative of babies in the first three months of life. The study included 20 mothers living in city of Campina Grande-PB, from different socioeconomic levels. We performed a semi-structured interview, recorded and transcribed literally. The results indicate variations in maternal beliefs according to the instructional level and maternal age of babies and show that most mothers who conceive how to care for their child influences child development. Mothers believe that since the first months after birth the baby is able to understand events of the environment in which he lives, and to communicate with it. These results contribute to data collection that can provide new information to the literature and support the planning of public policies through guidance programs on child development for mothers.(AU).

Las creencias maternas son representaciones internas que guían el comportamiento de la madre sobre el bebé. Este estudio investigó las creencias sobre el desarrollo sociocomunicativo de los bebés en los tres primeros meses de vida. El estudio incluyó a 20 madres que viven en la ciudad de Campina Grande - PB, de diferentes niveles socioeconómicos. Se realizó una entrevista semi-estructurada, grabadas y transcritas literalmente. Los resultados indican que las variaciones en las creencias maternas según su nivel de instrucción y la edad de los bebés y muestran que la mayoría de las madres conciben que la forma de cuidar de su hijo influyen en el desarrollo infantil. Las madres creen que desde los primeros meses después del nacimiento, el bebé es capaz de comprender los acontecimientos de su entorno y para comunicarse con él. Estos resultados proporcionan nueva información a la literatura y pueden soportar la planificación de las políticas públicas a través de los programas de orientación a las madres sobre el desarrollo infantil.(AU).

Crenças maternas sobre o desenvolvimento sociocomunicativo de bebês / Maternal beliefs about the sociocommunicative development of babies / Creencias maternas sobre el desarrollo sociocomunicativo de los bebés

As crenças maternas são representações internas que guiam o comportamento da mãe em relação ao bebê. Este estudo investigou as crenças acerca do desenvolvimento sociocomunicativo de bebês nos três primeiros meses de vida. Participaram do estudo 20 mães, residentes na cidade de Campina Grande-PB, de diferentes níveis socioeconômicos. Foi realizada uma entrevista semiestruturada, gravada e transcrita de forma literal. Os resultados indicam variações nas crenças maternas em função do seu nível instrucional e da idade dos bebês e demonstram que a maioria das mães concebe que o modo de cuidar do seu filho influencia o desenvolvimento infantil. As mães acreditam que desde os primeiros meses após o nascimento, o bebê é capaz de compreender acontecimentos do meio no qual vive e de se comunicar com as mesmas. Esses resultados oferecerem novas informações para a literatura e podem subsidiar o planejamento de políticas públicas através de programas de orientação sobre desenvolvimento infantil às mães.

The maternal beliefs are internal representations that guide the mother's behavior of regarding the babies. This study investigated the maternal beliefs about the development sociocommunicative of babies in the first three months of life. The study included 20 mothers living in city of Campina Grande-PB, from different socioeconomic levels. We performed a semi-structured interview, recorded and transcribed literally. The results indicate variations in maternal beliefs according to the instructional level and maternal age of babies and show that most mothers who conceive how to care for their child influences child development. Mothers believe that since the first months after birth the baby is able to understand events of the environment in which he lives, and to communicate with it. These results contribute to data collection that can provide new information to the literature and support the planning of public policies through guidance programs on child development for mothers.

Las creencias maternas son representaciones internas que guían el comportamiento de la madre sobre el bebé. Este estudio investigó las creencias sobre el desarrollo sociocomunicativo de los bebés en los tres primeros meses de vida. El estudio incluyó a 20 madres que viven en la ciudad de Campina Grande - PB, de diferentes niveles socioeconómicos. Se realizó una entrevista semi-estructurada, grabadas y transcritas literalmente. Los resultados indican que las variaciones en las creencias maternas según su nivel de instrucción y la edad de los bebés y muestran que la mayoría de las madres conciben que la forma de cuidar de su hijo influyen en el desarrollo infantil. Las madres creen que desde los primeros meses después del nacimiento, el bebé es capaz de comprender los acontecimientos de su entorno y para comunicarse con él. Estos resultados proporcionan nueva información a la literatura y pueden soportar la planificación de las políticas públicas a través de los programas de orientación a las madres sobre el desarrollo infantil.

Crenças e práticas de cuidado entre mães residentes em capitais e pequenas cidades Brasileiras / Beliefs and care practices of mothers living in Brazilian capital cities and small towns

Na presente pesquisa foram comparadas crenças e práticas de cuidado de mães de cidades pequenas e capitais brasileiras. Participaram do estudo 307 mães de cidades pequenas e 299 de capitais, as quais responderam a uma escala que avalia cuidados primários e estimulação. Os resultados indicaram que mães das cidades pequenas afirmaram realizar significativamente mais práticas de cuidados primários do que mães das capitais e estas afirmaram realizar e valorizar significativamente mais práticas de estimulação. Uma maior idade da criança e maior nível educacional da mãe explicaram significativamente a estimulação. Conclui-se que existe certa similaridade nas práticas e crenças das mães, que são independentes do lugar onde elas residem, assim como diferentes ênfases nas práticas de cuidado, dependendo da influência de variáveis sociodemográficas em cada contexto.(AU)

This study aimed to compare both beliefs and care practices of mothers living in capital cities and small towns. Three hundred seven mothers living in capital cities and 299 in small towns answered a scale that assesses primary care and stimulation. A sociodemographic questionnaire has also been used. The results indicated that mothers from small towns reported developing significantly more practices of primary care than the ones who live in the capitals. Mothers from the capitals value and practice more stimulation than primary care. The age of the child and the educational level of the mother explained significantly the stimulation results. Therefore, it seems there is some similarity in the practices and beliefs of mothers which are independent of the context where they live. There are also different emphases on health care practices, but these are influenced by sociodemographic variables depending on each context.(AU)

Crenças e práticas de cuidado entre mães residentes em capitais e pequenas cidades Brasileiras / Beliefs and care practices of mothers living in Brazilian capital cities and small towns

Na presente pesquisa foram comparadas crenças e práticas de cuidado de mães de cidades pequenas e capitais brasileiras. Participaram do estudo 307 mães de cidades pequenas e 299 de capitais, as quais responderam a uma escala que avalia cuidados primários e estimulação. Os resultados indicaram que mães das cidades pequenas afirmaram realizar significativamente mais práticas de cuidados primários do que mães das capitais e estas afirmaram realizar e valorizar significativamente mais práticas de estimulação. Uma maior idade da criança e maior nível educacional da mãe explicaram significativamente a estimulação. Conclui-se que existe certa similaridade nas práticas e crenças das mães, que são independentes do lugar onde elas residem, assim como diferentes ênfases nas práticas de cuidado, dependendo da influência de variáveis sociodemográficas em cada contexto.

This study aimed to compare both beliefs and care practices of mothers living in capital cities and small towns. Three hundred seven mothers living in capital cities and 299 in small towns answered a scale that assesses primary care and stimulation. A sociodemographic questionnaire has also been used. The results indicated that mothers from small towns reported developing significantly more practices of primary care than the ones who live in the capitals. Mothers from the capitals value and practice more stimulation than primary care. The age of the child and the educational level of the mother explained significantly the stimulation results. Therefore, it seems there is some similarity in the practices and beliefs of mothers which are independent of the context where they live. There are also different emphases on health care practices, but these are influenced by sociodemographic variables depending on each context.

Crenças e práticas de mães sobre o desenvolvimento infantil nos contextos rural e urbano / Mothers' beliefs and practices about child development in rural and urban contexts

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar a correlação entre as crenças e práticas de cuidado materno em diferentes contextos no município de Itajaí. Participaram da pesquisa setenta e sete mães que responderam a um questionário. Através da análise dos dados constatou-se que: mães da zona urbana, com escolaridade superior, valorizaram mais o fator Estimulação, enquanto mães da zona urbana, com baixa escolaridade, se destacaram em relação ao fator Disciplina; o tempo que as mães passavam com os filhos na zona rural foi significativamente maior em comparação com mães dos outros grupos; e mães da zona urbana com baixa escolaridade relataram que seus filhos brincavam significativamente mais com outras crianças. Portanto, conclui-se que crenças e práticas de cuidado materno apresentam configurações diferentes em função do contexto em que as mães residem.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of the beliefs and practices of maternal care in rural and urban contexts in the city of Itajaí, SC. Seventy-seven mothers were asked to participate in the study by filling in a questionnaire. The following points were observed through the analysis of the results: Urban mothers with high educational level attributed significantly more value to the factor of stimulation, whereas urban mothers with a lower educational level gave more importance to the factor of discipline. The amount of time that mothers spent with their children in the countryside was significantly greater in relation to mothers in the other group. Urban mothers of lower educational level said that their children played significantly more with other children. Therefore, it was concluded that practical beliefs and maternal care practices show different configurations regarding the contexts the mothers dwelling.