Research Article Relationship in Japan between maternal grandmothers’ perinatal support and their self-esteem

Abstract This study investigated the influence on their mental well-being of the perinatal support given by Japanese grandmothers. The Rosenberg self-esteem and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scales were used to assess grandmothers ’ mental well-being before and after their daughters ’ childbirth. Of 198 grand-mothers, 176 (88.9%) supported their daughters and three patterns of perinatal support were observed: grandmothers ’ support at the grandparents ’ house before childbirth (n = 95) (Satogaeri bunben; Japanese traditional perinatal support), grandmothers ’ support at the grandparents ’ house after childbirth (n = 53); and grandmothers ’ support at the daughters ’ house (n = 28). Those who supported their daughters at the grandparents ’ house before childbirth – especially the middle-aged (less than 60 years old) – showed significantly lower scores of self-esteem. Scores of CES-D did not significantly change before and after childbirth in either subgroup of grandmothers. It was concluded that grandmothers play an important role in supporting their daughters, and Satogaeri bunben is a typical event in modern Japan. However, Satogaeri bunben is a burden for middle-aged grandmothers, and we need to support them. Key words cross-cultural healthcare, depression, grandmother, Japan, perinatal support, self-esteem