The correlations between social support and state anxiety in mothers' practices in newborn baby bathing

Abstract

Background & Aim: Although the literature provides evidence-based guidance for bathing infants, it is important to be aware of cultural differences what may arise when caring for infants with a diverse family background. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between social support and state anxiety in mothers’ practices in newborn baby bathing. Methods & Materials: The descriptive and correlation study was conducted in 256 mothers. The data collection forms and scales were administered by the researcher to the mothers using a face to face interview technique when they presented to FHCs. Results: Majority (97.7%) of the mothers said that they bathed their babies at home for the first time and these mothers’ mean scores obtained from the PSS- Fa Scale was 15.54±4.63. Conclusion: The study showed that mothers’ perceived social support level from the family was satisfactory and their state anxiety was moderate. Mothers’ past experiences related to baby bath showed that it decreased their state anxiety levels meaningfully and statistically. Mothers’ perceived social support levels from the family related to baby bath increased and their state anxiety levels decreased.

Keywords

• baby Bath
• nurse
• anxiety
• social support