TY  - EJOU
AU  - Jeong, Hyein 
AU  - Jang, Soobin 
AU  - Jang, Bo-Hyoung 
AU  - Cheon, Chunhoo 
AU  - Kim, Taek Gyu 
AU  - Ju, Chan Ho 
AU  - Kim, Hwimun 
AU  - Shin, Su Yong 
AU  - Kim, Kyeong Han 
AU  - Ko, Seong-Gyu 

TI  - A Follow-Up Study on the Clinical Effectiveness and Satisfaction of an Online Mental Health Self-Care Program for Mothers in Korea
T2  - International Journal of Mental Health Promotion

PY  - 2025
VL  - 27
IS  - 11
SN  - 2049-8543

AB  - <b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness, durability, and acceptability of a Korean medicine-based online mental health self-care program for mothers. <b>Methods:</b> 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. <b>Results:</b> Within-group analyses demonstrated significant improvements for depression (ΔCESD-10 [Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-10] = −2.38 ± 2.10, <i>p</i> < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 1.10), anxiety (ΔGAD-7 [Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7] = −3.82 ± 3.20, <i>p</i> < 0.001; d = 0.93), and stress (ΔPSS [Perceived Stress Scale] = −6.44 ± 4.50, <i>p</i> < 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 (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and GAD-7 (<i>p</i> = 0.025). These improvements were largely maintained through the 12-week follow-up (all <i>p</i> < 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. <b>Conclusion:</b> 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.
KW  - Online health care program; Korean medicine; COVID-19; mental health

DO  - 10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071014