Mounir, G., Abolfotouh, M., Tayel, K. (2007). Coping Strategies of Mothers of Children with Cardiac Problems. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 37(1), 1-18. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2007.22011
Gehan Mounir; Mostafa Abolfotouh; Kholoud Tayel. "Coping Strategies of Mothers of Children with Cardiac Problems". Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 37, 1, 2007, 1-18. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2007.22011
Mounir, G., Abolfotouh, M., Tayel, K. (2007). 'Coping Strategies of Mothers of Children with Cardiac Problems', Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 37(1), pp. 1-18. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2007.22011
Mounir, G., Abolfotouh, M., Tayel, K. Coping Strategies of Mothers of Children with Cardiac Problems. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 2007; 37(1): 1-18. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2007.22011
Coping Strategies of Mothers of Children with Cardiac Problems
Department of Family Health (Division of School Health), High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Assessment of coping strategies is important in planning of health education programs to enhance coping. Objective: The aim of the present work was to assess the knowledge and attitude of mothers concerning cardiac problems, to assess the coping strategies of mothers of children with cardiac problems, and to identify some predictors of the coping strategies. Methods: A cross sectional study of 187 mothers of children with cardiac problems who attended the cardiology school health insurance clinic of Sporting Student’s Hospital in Alexandria with their children within a period of one month was conducted. Every mother was subjected to the modified Jalowiec coping scale to assess the coping strategies. Knowledge and attitude of the mothers were assessed through a pre-designed interviewing questionnaire. Results: The results showed marked variability in correct responses to various statements about cardiac problems. However, most of mothers showed poor knowledge (87.17%)and about half of them (46.0%) showed negative attitude. These figures were significantly higher among mothers of children with congenital heart defects (CHD) than among those whose children suffer from rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The most commonly used coping method was "Pray; trust in god" (92.5%), followed by "Accept the situation as it is" (88.0%), and "Hope that things will be better" (73.5%). More than half of the mothers (55.5%) reported that they always "Resign themselves to the situation because it is their fate" while 28.0% reported that they always "Worry." The percent mean score of use of problem-oriented coping methods was nearly equal to that for affective-oriented coping methods. Duration of illness (p<0.01), previous hospitalization (p=0.01), and attitude of mothers to illness (p=0.05) were all significantly associated with coping strategies. However, after adjustment for other variables, high percent mean total coping scores were more likely among mothers of children with longer disease duration and those whose mother showed negative attitude towards cardiac problems (p<0.05). Conclusion: Health education programs are needed to enhance coping strategies, knowledge, and attitude of mothers of children with cardiac problems. However, high coping strategy scores are significantly associated with the longer duration of illness and the negative attitude of mothers, possibly due to prolonged exposure to stress and the feeling that their children are different. Support group for parents is a highly recommended strategy to help a family benefit from communication with others who share common concerns, interests, and goals.
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