Relationship in Japan between maternal grandmothers’ perinatal support and their self‐esteem

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 grandmothers, 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 J apan. However, Satogaeri bunben is a burden for middle‐aged grandmothers, and we need to support them.