Stress and coping strategies of expectant and lactating student-mothers at the college of distance education, University of Cape Coast

Abstract

The study investigated into the stress and coping strategies among expectant (pregnant) and lactating (nursing) mothers at the College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast. The methodology used in this study was the descriptive design. Convenience sampling technique was employed to select five hundred (500) respondents for the study. Three research questions were formulated and answered using frequency distributions, means and standard deviations. Similarly, two hypotheses were also tested using two independent samples t-test. A questionnaire was used in collecting responses from the participants. The study revealed that the most prevalent type of stress among expectant and lactating mothers at the College of Distance Education was Financial Stress and the commonest stressor among expectant and lactating mothers was respectively “Antenatal attendance” and “Postnatal attendance”. The finding showed that when expectant and lactating mothers are under stress, the first and foremost coping strategy they adopt is Passive Problem Coping. The study further revealed that there is a significant difference in the stress levels between expectant and lactating mothers as well as in the coping strategies adopted by them. It was recommended that the University counsellors should provide counselling, seminars and talks on stress and its coping strategies for expectant and lactating mothers. Similarly, stress sensitization seminars should be organized for their husbands and other family members. The University Management should also come up with clear policies regarding the welfare of expectant and lactating student-mothers on distance education programmes in the area of finances and time bound academic activities such as examinations.