Influence of hardiness, mother-child interactions, and social support on parenting stress among North Korean refugee mothers: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the factors that influence parenting stress, including hardiness, parent-child interactions, and social support, to provide basic data for developing a program to reduce parenting stress in North Korean refugee mothers.Methods: A descriptive study design was used. Data were collected between September and December 2021, and 123 North Korean refugee mothers participated.Results: The mean scores were 69.42 out of 135 for hardiness, 48.45 out of 144 for interactions, 47.32 out of 90 for social support, and 51.84 out of 90 for parenting stress. The parental distress score was higher than that of child-related stress. Hardiness was significantly related to North Korean refugee mothers' parenting stress. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the explanatory power for hardiness and the number of supporters was approximately 19% for parenting stress (F=6.84, <i>p</i><.001). As such, the factors with a relatively strong influence on parenting stress were hardiness (β =-.40, <i>p</i><.001) and having four or more supporters (β=-.27, <i>p</i>=.027). Conclusion: This study's findings suggest the need to identify ways to increase North Korean refugee mothers' psychological hardiness and encourage them to extend their sources of social support and enhance their style of parenting.

Knowledge, confidence, and educational needs of newborn care among North Korean refugee women: a descriptive study

“…As the educational effect is commensurate with the participant's interest in the content, it is important to investigate the interests of participants, evaluate their needs, and provide personalized education based on these findings. In this context, it is essential to provide North Korean refugee women, who face difficulties with pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting due to insufficient adaptation to the new society and culture and lack of personal support [ 3 ], with the necessary educational support conducive to the healthy development of their children and high-quality parenting.…”

“…North Korean refugee women not only experience economic difficulties and unstable jobs, stress in the process of adjusting to life in South Korea, and traumatic experiences in the process of escaping from North Korea, but also lack social activities, social network formation, and a support system to obtain help and information [ 2 ]. In addition, North Korean refugee women experience many difficulties in raising children due to difficulties in acquiring information on pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, as they do not have knowledge about the new society's childrearing methods and education system or have access to appropriate educational institutions [ 3 ]. Furthermore, the proportion of single-parent families among North Korean defectors is increasing, implying the possibility of poverty [ 4 ].…”

Knowledge of atopic dermatitis and food allergies, as well as health information literacy, among North Korean refugee mothers: a descriptive survey study

“…However, there is a lack of research confirming the relationship between atopic dermatitis and health information literacy, including knowledge of food allergies, particularly targeting North Korean refugee mothers. This study aims to provide foundational data to assist North Korean refugee mothers in overcoming the challenges of adapting to a new society and the dual burden of child-rearing [ 34 ]. It also aims to aid in the development of healthy children.…”

Factors influencing children’s emotional and behavioral problems perceived by North Korean refugee mothers: a descriptive study

“…North Korean refugee women often report conflicts with their children and difficulties in raising them within South Korean society. These challenges with their children are major factors affecting the acculturation of North Korean refugee women [7]. After entering South Korea, these women face various burdens, such as caring for or bringing their remaining family members, including children from North Korea or China, into the country.…”

“…North Korean refugee mothers often struggle to adjust to South Korean society and face challenges in raising their children [7]. These difficulties stem from cultural differences, psychological anxieties such as depression, and economic hardships.…”