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Thematic analysis of dyadic coping in couples managing breastfeeding challenges after gestational diabetes mellitus
1Nursing Department, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal fetal Medicine, Shanghal Institute of Matemal Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai first Maternity and infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji university, Shanghai, 200092, China.
Aim:
This study intended to explore the lived experiences and dyadic coping processes of couples in breastfeeding support for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Design:
A qualitative dyadic descriptive design was applied.
Methods:
A total of 21 postpartum couples were recruited from a tertiary maternity hospital in Shanghai. Joint semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis were conducted under the guidance of an integrated dyadic coping framework.
Results:
Four themes were summarized. Couples held divergent cognitive appraisals and poor stress communication. They suffered from limited professional knowledge, deficient coping skills and insufficient external support. Both sides had unmet demands for professional guidance, emotional comfort and practical help. Positive dyadic coping strengthened breastfeeding confidence and marital harmony, whereas maladaptive coping triggered psychological burden and relationship conflicts.
Conclusion:
GDM couples experience prominent communication dilemmas and practical obstacles with unmet support needs. Dyadic coping plays a critical role in maternal breastfeeding persistence, mental status and couple relationship. Couple-centered intervention incorporating spousal breastfeeding education is urgently required to reduce stress, promote sustained breastfeeding, and optimize long-term health management for high-risk GDM populations.
Impact:
This study provides empirical evidence for understanding the breastfeeding-related experiences and dyadic coping of GDM couples, and offers a theoretical basis for formulating targeted,couple-centered interventions. It helps to reduce the breastfeeding stress of GDM couples, promote sustained breastfeeding, and improve the long-term health outcomes of GDM mothers and their children, as well as optimize the health management model for high-risk maternal and infant populations. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: not applicable.