Investigation of the self-reported health and health-related behaviours of Victorian mothers of school-aged children
Helen Bourke-Taylor A D , Aislinn Lalor A , Louise Farnworth A , Julie F. Pallant B , Elizabeth Knightbridge A and Gayle McLelland CA Occupational Therapy Department, School of Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University PO Box 527, Frankston, Vic. 3199, Australia.
B Griffith Health Institute, G40 Griffith Health Centre, Level 8.86, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Qld 4222, Australia.
C School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, PO Box 527, Frankston, Vic. 3199, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: helen.bourke-taylor@monash.edu
Australian Journal of Primary Health 21(1) 66-73 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY13056
Submitted: 2 May 2013 Accepted: 27 August 2013 Published: 18 October 2013
Abstract
Lifestyle may influence many health-related issues currently facing Australian women. The extent to which women with school-aged children attend to their own health is unknown and the associations between health behaviours and health status requires investigation. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of health behaviours (alcohol consumption, health-promoting activities) and their impact on self-reported health (weight, sleep quality, mental health) among mothers of school-aged children in Victoria. Mail-out survey design (n = 263) including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and Health Promoting Activities Scale was used to explore issues. The results indicated that substantial numbers of mothers reported moderate to extreme DASS scores: depression (n = 45, 17%); anxiety (n = 41, 15.6%); stress (n = 57, 21.7%). The majority participated in physical activity less often than daily. High rates of daily alcohol use (20%) and poor sleep quality were reported. Nearly one-half (n = 114, 46%) of the sample were overweight or obese and also reported poorer mental health than other women in the sample (P < 0.001). Significant associations were detected between maternal weight, mental health and participation in health-promoting activities. The findings indicate that there is a need for increased health education and services for women with school-aged children. Direct services and population-based health promotion strategies may be required to address healthy lifestyle issues and educate mothers about the possible health legacy of poor health behaviours.
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