The Effect of Applying Problem-solving Skills on Stress Coping Styles and Emotional Selfefficacy in Mothers of Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Authors

1 Department of Neonatal and Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;

2 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;

3 Department of Mental Health, school of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.30476/ijcbnm.2024.100522.2368

Abstract

Background: Dysfunctional stress-coping styles may accelerate negative emotional self-efficacy in the
mothers of preterm neonates. This study was conducted to determine the effect of applying problemsolving
skills on stress-coping styles and emotional self-efficacy in mothers of preterm neonates.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted from January 2020 to February 2021 in 4 neonatal
intensive care units (NICU) of Mashhad, Iran. 60 mothers were selected using convenience sampling
method and randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The intervention group was divided
into groups of 3-5 people to attend 6 sessions of at least 60 minutes held 3 times a week for two weeks and
received training on problem-solving skills. The control group received routine care. Data were collected
using demographic characteristic forms, problem-solving inventory, ways of Coping Questionnaire, and
the emotional self-efficacy scale. The tools were initially filled out by both groups and re-completed at
the end of the second week after the intervention and four weeks later. Data were analyzed using SPSS
version 21 and the significance level of less than 0.05. Independent and paired t-test, Mann-Whitney, Chisquare,
Fisher’s exact test, repeated measures, and Bonferroni post hoc test were used.
Results: Analysis of variance with repeated measures showed that in the intervention group, there
was an increase in the scores of problem-focused style (before: 37.9±6.3; immediately: 46.2±5.3; one
month later: 47.5±5.6) (P<0.001), a decrease in scores of emotion-focused style (before: 44.0±6.9;
immediately: 38.6±6.2; one month later: 38.0±4.4) (P<0.001), and an increase in mothers’ emotional
self-efficacy (before: 113.0±14.9; immediately: 130.3±10.6; one month later: 134.5±8.3) (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Problem-solving skills are recommended to be used in NICU to empower mothers to
adopt appropriate strategies for dealing with the situational stress of having a preterm neonate and to
increase emotional self-efficacy.
Trial Registration Number: IRCT20191211045696N1.

Keywords

International Journal of Community Based Nursing & Midwifery
Volume 12, Issue 4 - Serial Number 48
October 2024
Pages 254-266

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