Detail Cantuman

Background: Stunting is a condition that children are too short of normal height in their age range. One of the risk factors for stunting is parenting that is applied in families to children. Mothers are at the core in the stunting phenomenon so that understanding their experiences in caring for the children with stunting is essential. In this
study, we explored the Indonesian mothers’ experiences in
caring for the children with stunting. Methods: This
research was a qualitative research with descriptive
phenomenology approach. Using purposive sampling, we
recruited 12 mothers who were caring for the children with
stunting. Data were collected through in-depth interviews
and were analyzed using Colaizzi method. Results: We
identified four themes in this study: (1) the diverse
responses reflecting the mothers’ subjective burden; (2)
negative views from the society adding the burden to the
mothers; (3) trying to be at peace with the children’s
stunting condition; and (4) the importance of social support
in caring for the children with stunting. Conclusion:
Mothers caring for children with stunting experienced a
multifaceted burden coupled with the negative stigma from
the community. They tried various ways from cognitive
and religious approach to passive appraisal to cope with the
stressful situation. The mothers also expressed their needs
of social support from their husbands, families, and
communities to help them through the stressful situation of
caring for the children with stunting. Measures should be
taken to address the psychosocial problems experienced by
mothers due to their conditions
Keywords: stunting, stressful, mother’ experience,
children development.