Open Access

ARTICLE

A Follow-Up Study on the Clinical Effectiveness and Satisfaction of an Online Mental Health Self-Care Program for Mothers in Korea

Hyein Jeong¹, Soobin Jang², Bo-Hyoung Jang¹, Chunhoo Cheon¹, Taek Gyu Kim³, Chan Ho Ju³, Hwimun Kim⁴, Su Yong Shin⁵, Kyeong Han Kim^6,*, Seong-Gyu Ko^1,*

1 Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
2 Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Hanny University, Daegu, 38610, Republic of Korea
3 Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
4 Department of Science in Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
5 Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
6 Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University, Wanju, 55338, Republic of Korea

* Corresponding Authors: Kyeong Han Kim. Email: ; Seong-Gyu Ko. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Evidence-based Approaches to Managing Stress, Depression, Anxiety, and Suicide)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2025, 27(11), 1695-1708. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071014

Received 29 July 2025; Accepted 07 November 2025; Issue published 28 November 2025

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness, durability, and acceptability of a Korean medicine-based online mental health self-care program for mothers. Methods: This non-randomized comparative study evaluated the clinical effectiveness, durability, and acceptability of a Korean medicine-based online mental health self-care program for mothers. Group 1 (regular version) included 120 participants who attended one live session per week for 5 weeks, while Group 2 (shortened version) included 30 participants who completed five recorded sessions within 1 week. A total of 112 participants (93.3%) in Group 1 and all 30 participants (100%) in Group 2 completed the program and surveys. Results: Within-group analyses demonstrated significant improvements for depression (ΔCESD-10 [Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-10] = −2.38 ± 2.10, p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 1.10), anxiety (ΔGAD-7 [Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7] = −3.82 ± 3.20, p < 0.001; d = 0.93), and stress (ΔPSS [Perceived Stress Scale] = −6.44 ± 4.50, p < 0.001; d = 1.12) in Group 1. Between-group analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) of postintervention scores showed significant differences favoring Group 1 in CESD-10 (p < 0.001) and GAD-7 (p = 0.025). These improvements were largely maintained through the 12-week follow-up (all p < 0.001), indicating both statistical and clinical significance. The average willingness-to-pay per session was 8562.5 ± 3609 KRW, and overall satisfaction was high. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the regular 5-week Korean medicine-based online program is effective, cost-effective, and capable of sustaining improvements in maternal mental health, supporting its potential use in community-based care strategies.

---

Keywords

---