Factors Related to Child-rearing Satisfaction and Extended Family Support for Mothers Raising Their First Child Between the Ages of 6 Months and 3 Years

<p>Objective: To explore factors influencing child-rearing satisfaction among mothers raising their first child between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Methods: From June to November 2015, a questionnaire was administered to 171 women raising children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. The questionnaire covered three concepts considered to be related to the target background and satisfaction: [the child's situation], [the mother's situation], and [the family's situation], as well as the participant's own satisfaction with child rearing. Results: Factor analysis of the three concepts revealed three factors from [the child's situation] and four factors each from [the mother's situation] and [the family's situation]. When the factor scores for each concept were compared between the high and low child-rearing satisfaction groups, there were factors that showed significantly higher scores in the high child-rearing satisfaction group. Discussion: Mothers' satisfaction with child rearing was related to support from their husbands, their own parents, and their parents-in-law, as well as their self-esteem and perception of personal growth through the child-rearing experience. The feeling that they were growing as a family with their husbands was also important. This suggests that it is necessary to communicate to the entire family the importance of building good relationships.</p>