Paper Title
Constructive Coping Strategies As A Result of Increasing Maternal Knowledge: A Cross-Sectional Study in Perinatology Wards

Abstract
A lack of information about infant care can cause stress and contribute to poor coping strategies in mothers of low birth weight (LBW) infants. This study aimed to determine mothers’ knowledge about LBW infant care in perinatology wards and its relationship to mothers’ coping strategies. Sixty mothers of low birth weight infants admitted to the perinatology ward participated in this descriptive-correlational study. The participants were selected through the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire: parental demographics and infant characteristics, Maternal Knowledge Score (range: 1–20), and the Coping Strategies Scale (range: 25–125). Descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Pearson’s correlation test, were applied to the data using SPSS software version 20. There were significant differences in the knowledge of LBW care (p 0.02) and coping strategies (p. 0.003) among mothers who received information about LBW care from nurses in hospitals and those who did not receive information. A significant correlation between mothers’ knowledge and coping strategies was found (r. 0.242; p. < 0.015). The study results indicated a significant association of knowledge with coping strategies. The more knowledge a mother had, the better her coping strategies were. It is therefore recommended that nurses provide mothers and families with active and proactive learning opportunities in health education programs on infant care. These programs can increase the confidence of mothers of LBW infants and thereby improve mothers’ coping strategies. Keywords- mothers’ knowledge of LBW care, coping strategies, low birth weight infant