Investigation of the relationship between adolescent mothers 'freedom on baby care and mother's satisfaction and factors affecting

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: The World Health Organization defines the transition period between the ages of 10 and 19 as an adolescent period. Pregnancies occurring between these ages are defined as adolescent pregnancy. Adolescent pregnancies bring various problems and difficulties. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between adolescent mothers self confidance about baby care and maternal satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The descriptive and analytically planned research was performed with the participation of 90 adolescent mothers at Sakarya Women's and Children's Hospital and Sakarya University Education and Research Hospital. As a data collection tool, Questionnaire, Mother Being Scale (BAM-13) and Pharis Self Confidence Scale were used. The data obtained from the study were transferred to computer environment and evaluated by IBM SPSS Statistics 23 program. FINDINGS: It was observed that 88,9% of the adolescent mothers who participated in the study were 18-19 years of age and 11,1% of them were in the 16-17 age group. It was found that 81,1% of adolescent mothers were primary school graduates, 94,4% of adolescent mothers were housewives and 64,4% of adolescent mothers lived in large families. A statistically significant low negative correlation was found between the Pharis Self-Confidence scale and the maternal scale, child experience sub-dimension and emotional proximity subdimension (Respectively r=-0,293,p=0,005; r=-0,274, p=0,009; r= -0,298, p=0,004). It has been detected that the Pharis Self Confidence Scale average of score is statistically much more on the women who has Being Mother Scale score less then 9(maternity satisfaction high ones) when compared with the women who has Being Mother Scale score is 9 and more(maternity satisfaction low ones). CONCLUSION: A positive relationship was found between the self confidance of the adolescent mothers and their satisfaction with their mothers. The self confidance of adolescent mothers in baby care increases maternal satisfaction also increases. Keywords: Adolescent, Adolescent Motherhood, Self confidance in baby care, Maternity satisfaction.