An Integrative Review on the Contents and Effectiveness of Depression and Anxiety Interventions applied to Unmarried Mothers Living in Residential Facilities

Purpose: The purposes of this study was to review the literature on intervention for treating anxiety and depression among unmarried mothers living in facilities, and to understand core that could promote the development of more effective interventions. Methods: Key words in English and Korean were used to search through eight electronic databases- PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, RISS, DBpia, NDSL, and the National Assembly Library. Results: Ten studies were ultimately selected for the integrative review and were evaluated in terms of contextual and methodological quality. The studies consisted of seven quasi-experimental studies and three case report studies. The selected studies utilized music, art, forest therapy, dancing, education, and play programs to change mothers’ perceptions, emotions, and behavior and to improve their relationships with their babies or others. Conclusion: It is important to consider mothers’ self-awareness and emotional expression, and to improve their relationships with their babies or others as core elements when developing intervention programs for anxiety and/or depression among unmarried mothers living in residential facilities.