Factors Predicting Mother's Abilities to Take Care of Children Under One Year of Age in Bangkok Metropolis

Abstract

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine factors for predicting mothers’ residing in the Bangkok Metropolitan area ability to take care of children under one year of age. Taylor’s dependent-care theory, which is a sub-theory in Orem’s theory of self-care, provided the theoretical framework of this study. The study sample group was recruited by means of purposive sampling. The total number of subjects was 133.  Data were collected by means of 6 questionnaires as follows: the mother and child demographic characteristics questionnaire, the marital relationship questionnaire, the mother-infant relationship questionnaire, the quality of care provided by healthcare staffs questionnaire, the social support questionnaire, and the mother’s ability to take care of children under one year of age questionnaire. Were examined for content validity and appropriateness of the language by 4 persons qualified noon analysis of the query. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The study findings revealed that spousal relationship, maternal-infant relationship, quality of care provided by healthcare staffs, and social support could jointly predict mothers’ residing in the Bangkok Metropolitan area ability to take care of children under one year of age by 95.6%. Based on the study findings, it is recommended that nurses should take the factors of marital relationship, mother-infant relationship, quality of care provided by healthcare staffs, and social support of mothers into consideration to solve problems.

Keywords: Ability to take care of children, Children under one year of age