2009 Volume 29 Issue 1 Pages 1_41-1_50
Purpose: We developed and evaluated a 2-hour program for mothers in order to increase the level of happiness in raising their children.
Method: Following a pretest, we conducted this program twice with 14 mothers (7 mothers per group), and evaluated differences in psychological indicators such as mood and feelings of happiness and stress in raising children, and in physiological indicators such as levels of relaxation and stress. These indicators were assessed before, immediately after, and a week after their participation in the program.
Results: With respect to mood change, “anxiety” decreased, while “energy and excitement” decreased. Regarding parenting stress, “worrying about the development of their children” decreased. At the same time, with respect to their child care happiness, mothers demonstrated more “appreciation from their children and a sense of healing,” and felt that there was “not enough support from their husband in raising children.” In terms of physiological indicators, we detected a decrease in heart rate and an increase in HF. Brain waves showed a decrease in θ-waves and β-waves and an increase in α-waves (in particular α3-waves), which indicates a relaxing effect. In addition, by helping to broaden the mothers' perspective and sense of reassurance and breadth of mind through day-care services, the mothers were able to express love towards their children and experience growth within themselves through the reexamination of their relationship with their children.
Conclusion: In the future, we hope to develop this program into a continuous course and use cross-sectional assessments to evaluate the program.
