Health-Related Quality of Life of Mothers: A Review of the Research

Abstract

To determine what is currently known about health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of mothers and the factors that influence it, I conducted a review of the research based on a search of the literature from 1997 to 2006. Seventeen studies met the following inclusion criteria: (1) measured physical and emotional health; (2) focused on the mother; (3) published between January 1997 and December 2006. Researchers found that maternal demands (maternal or child health or disability), environmental elements (poverty, social support), and selected interventions impact HRQOL in mothers. Synthesis of study results was limited by research design, sample size, nature of comparison groups, cultural specificity, and measurement issues. Future research is needed to describe HRQOL in mothers without special demands, to identify sociodemographic factors that impact HRQOL and to test interventions to improve HRQOL in mothers.

Health-related quality of life five years after birth of the first child

“…Although there are some studies of the effects of recent motherhood on general health status [12][13][14][15] it remains unclear how women perceive their health and HRQoL in a longer perspective. The aim of this study was to describe the overall HRQoL as well as the HRQoL in relation to mode of delivery, in women five years after the birth of their first child.…”

Relationship between Social Support and Quality of Life in Childbearing Women during the Perinatal Period

“…Demands and challenges are being placed on childbearing women by changes in society (de Vaus, ; Office for National Statistics, ; Santow & Bracher, ; U.S. Census Bureau, ) at a time when there can be a reduced capacity for maternity health care services to address their needs (Laws & Sullivan, ; Ronsen & Sundstrom, ). Coyle () noted that social context and support were important issues for mothers, particularly in the perinatal period when they may experience increased levels of distress (Barclay & Lloyd, ; Emmanuel, Creedy, St John, & Brown, ). In this context, well‐being during the perinatal period is receiving greater attention globally.…”

Efeito Do Exercício Físico Sobre a Saúde E Sobrecarga De Mães De Crianças E Adolescentes Com Paralisia Cerebral

“…Embora o SF-36 seja o instrumento mais utilizado para avaliar a QVRS de mães 28 , deve-se considerar a possibilidade deste questionário não ter sido capaz de detectar algumas particularidades desse grupo. Como exemplo, pode-se verificar que nos domínios aspectos físicos e aspectos emocionais os escores já apresentavam valor máximo antes da intervenção (efeito teto), sendo o instrumento incapaz de medir alteração além desse valor.…”