Mothers' Experiences of Caring for Children with Precocious Puberty: A Q-Methodological Approach

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study explored experiences of mothers caring for children with precocious puberty. METHODS: Q-methodology was used for analyzing individual subjectivity. Seventy Q-statements were selected and scored by 50 participants on an 11-point scale. The collected data were analyzed using the PC QUANL program. RESULTS: The following eight types of care experiences of mothers of children with precocious puberty were identified: Type I-1: hypersensitive and best-result oriented, Type I-2: treatment burden, Type II-1: treatment-oriented, Type II-2: self-blame, Type III-1: accepting and compliant, Type III-2: treatment confused, Type IV-1: serious and engaged, and Type IV-2: naturalism-oriented. CONCLUSION: These results can help develop specific education programs based on types of care experiences for the promotion of care among mothers of children with precocious puberty.