Effect of a self-help program for mothers of hemophilic children in Korea

Mothers of hemophilic children are under stressful situations because of the characteristics of disease and inheritance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the self-help group program for the mothers of hemophilic children. Fifty one mothers of hemophilic children were participated. The experiment group (n = 24) participated in the self-help group program for 5 weeks, while the control group (n = 27) received a self-help booklet only. Knowledge, self-efficacy, depression, parenting stress, and quality of life were evaluated using questionnaires. Data were analyzed using chi(2)-test, t-test, and analysis of covariance (ancova). The experiment and control groups were homogeneous in general characteristics and depending variables except knowledge (P < 0.05; P > 0.05, respectively). Knowledge, self-efficacy, and quality of life in the experiment group were increased after the program (P < 0.001). Especially, the knowledge in the experiment group was lower than the control group in pretest, but higher in the posttest (P < 0.001). Depression and parenting stress were reduced in the experiment group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). It is suggestive that the self-help group program can be a useful opportunity for mothers of hemophilic children to improve knowledge and self-efficay of child care and quality of life of themselves; to decrease depression and parenting stress. Extended application of the program to fathers or all family members may be needed to investigate in the future.