The effect of empowerment counseling on stress and self-esteem of mothers with hospitalized premature infants.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of counselling on stress and self-esteem of mothers with hospitalized premature infants.

Materials and methods: This parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted on 80 primigravida mothers aged 18-40 years, gestational age of 28-34 weeks in 2021 in Iran. The women were randomly assigned to two groups by blocked randomization. The data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire, Paternal Stress Scale and Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire. Individual counselling based on the GATHER model was carried out within two consecutive weeks in four sessions. Data were analyzed with SPSS 24.

Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in demographic variables, stress, and self-esteem before the intervention (P>0.05). There was a substantial difference in the mean score of self - esteem 9.52±3.22 and 16.75±6.39 (P<0.001), stress 154.65±32.15and 61±10.98 (P<0.001) and different dimensions of stress between the control and intervention groups after the intervention. The most significant reduction occurred in the dimension of appearance and behaviour of the infant (cohen d=3.146).

Conclusions: The results show counselling with an empowerment approach based on the GATHER model is effective in reducing stress and increasing self-esteem of mothers of premature infants admitted to the intensive care unit.