日本の産後1年の若年母の心理・社会的状況と支援構築に関する研究—保健師の面接調査から

The Psychological And Social State of Japanese Adolescent Mothers A Year after Giving Birth And Their Support: Interviews with Public Health Nurses

　日本の産後1年の若年母の心理・社会的状況を明らかにして支援を構築するため、A市の保健師に面接調査を行った。その結果、産後1年の若年母の特徴は、【発達途上の心理・知識】として＜自己中心的な考え＞や＜育児への知識不足＞、＜引きこもりがちな傾向＞がみられ、【脆弱な家族関係】として＜パートナー・実母の支援の重要さ＞を見出した。また、若年母の支援のあり方は、【思春期の成長を重視した関わり】として＜見通しをもったアドバイス＞等と、＜健診や教室を通して児の見守り＞を配慮した【若年母の特徴をふまえた支援】や＜自立した生活への促し＞等の【家族を含めた社会化への支援】を大切にしていた。さらに、保健師たちは、福祉課、家庭相談員、児童相談所等と連携して【児の成長を見据えた包括的支援】を重要視していた。

Purpose

Interviews were conducted with public health nurses in City A, Japan, to ascertain the psychological and social state of adolescent mothers a year after giving birth and to help establish support for them.

Method

The subjects were public health nurses in City A, Japan. Data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews using an interview guide. The following two items were studied:(1) characteristics(age and experience in supervising adolescent mothers as a public health nurse) and (2)the current state of support for adolescent mothers and issues with that support.

Results

The interviews revealed that Being self-centered, Dearth of knowledge with immaturity of life experience concerning childcare, and Tendency to withdraw were characteristics noted as evidence of "Developing mental state and growing knowledge." Importance of support from a partner or one's mother was noted as evidence of "Weak family ties." With regard to the nature of support for adolescent mothers, Insightful advice was valued as an "Intervention emphasizing on growth and development in adolescence." Other valued aspects of support were "Support factoring in characteristics of adolescent mothers" by making allowances for Monitoring children via checkups and seminars and "Support for adolescent mothers(including support from family members)" by Encouraging independent living and similar efforts. In addition, public health nurses emphasized on "Comprehensive support with an eye toward child growth and development" in conjunction with the welfare divisions of public health centers, family counselors, and child counseling centers.

Conclusion

Given these findings on the psychological and social state of adolescent mothers, three aspects of support should be considered: Intervention emphasizing on growth and development in adolescence, Support for adolescent mothers(including support from their families), and Comprehensive support with an eye toward child growth and development.