A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON GUILT COMPLEX AND KNOWLEDGE OF ADOPTIVE CHILD-CARE MEASURES AMONG MULTIPAROUS WORKING MOTHERS IN URBAN SLUM AREA OF AHMEDABAD CITY

Author Name: 1. Talpada Payal Lallubhai, 2. Dr. Chandra Prakash Dekhawat

Volume/Issue: 06/05

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/02.2026-99511168/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. 1. Ph.D Scholar, Venkteshwar College of Nursing, Sai Tirupati University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
   2. Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Venkteshwar College of Nursing, Sai Tirupati University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

ABSTRACT

Background: Working mothers residing in urban slum areas face multiple role demands related to employment, household responsibilities, and childcare. Multiparous working mothers are particularly vulnerable to psychological stress, which may result in a guilt complex and influence their ability to adopt appropriate child-care practices. Assessing guilt complex and knowledge of adoptive child-care measures is essential for planning effective nursing interventions in urban slum communities. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the level of guilt complex and knowledge regarding adoptive child-care measures among multiparous working mothers, to determine the association between guilt complex and selected demographic variables, to assess the association between knowledge and selected demographic variables, and to find the relationship between guilt complex and knowledge of adoptive child-care measures. Methods: A quantitative approach with a descriptive research design was adopted. The study was conducted among 100 multiparous working mothers residing in a selected urban slum area of Ahmedabad city. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used. Data were collected using a structured demographic proforma, a guilt complex rating scale, and a structured knowledge questionnaire on adoptive child-care measures. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The findings revealed that 52% of mothers had a moderate level of guilt complex, while 24% experienced severe guilt. Regarding knowledge, 46% of mothers had moderately adequate knowledge and 34% had inadequate knowledge of adoptive child-care measures. A significant association was found between working hours and level of guilt complex. A moderate negative correlation (r = –0.42) was observed between guilt complex and knowledge, indicating that increased knowledge was associated with reduced guilt levels. Conclusion: The study concluded that multiparous working mothers in urban slum areas experience considerable guilt and possess limited to moderate knowledge of adoptive child-care measures. The findings highlight the need for community-based educational and supportive nursing interventions to enhance childcare knowledge and reduce maternal guilt, thereby promoting better maternal and child health outcomes.

Key words: Guilt Complex, Multiparous Working Mothers, Adoptive Child-Care Measures, Knowledge, Urban Slum Area, Maternal Mental Health