山名 隼人

ABSTRACT Aim To evaluate the effect of satogaeri , a Japanese custom of mothers returning to their parents' home for perinatal and postnatal support, on the health statuses of mothers and infants and the child‐rearing support from the surrounding environment. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all pregnancies reported at a city in Tokyo in 2020. Propensity score matching was performed between expectant mothers with the intention to have satogaeri ( satogaeri group) and those without (residence group), with age, birth order, place of their parents' residence, and other psychosocial conditions at pregnancy reporting as variables. Follow‐up data on mothers and infants from the newborns' 4‐month checkup were compared. Results We analyzed 1559 expectant mothers, including 399 who had satogaeri . Follow‐up data of 270 and 314 in the satogaeri and residence groups, respectively, were compared after matching. Satogaeri was associated with neither infants' 4‐month checkup results, including pediatrician assessments (no abnormality: satogaeri group 54% vs. residence group 46%, p  = 0.342), nor mothers' health conditions, including perceptions of parenting difficulties (12% vs. 13%, p  = 0.749). However, satogaeri was associated with increased support from the mothers' families (65% vs. 55%, p  = 0.013) and decreased support from neighbors (0% vs. 3%, p  = 0.013). More mothers in the satogaeri group tended to lack knowledge of the city's childcare services (16% vs. 11%, p  = 0.052). Conclusions Satogaeri was not associated with the health status of mothers and infants at the 4‐month checkup. The possible effects of satogaeri suggest the necessity for continuous support for families that select satogaeri .