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Social support for first-time mothers: an Irish study
1Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Ireland. Patricia.leahy@ucc.ie
MCN. the American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing
|October 31, 2007
Summary
First-time mothers in Ireland primarily rely on informal social networks, such as husbands and mothers, for infant care support. Formal support from public health nurses and midwives is also crucial for new mothers.
Area of Science:
- Maternal and Child Health
- Social Support Systems
- Nursing Research
Background:
- First-time mothers require significant support for infant care practices.
- Understanding social support networks is vital for maternal well-being.
- Existing research often overlooks the nuances of support for new mothers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the support needs of first-time mothers in Ireland.
- To map formal and informal support networks utilized for infant care.
- To determine the types of support provided at six weeks postpartum.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative descriptive study design.
- A 28-item questionnaire assessed social support needs and networks.
- Convenience sample of 135 first-time mothers; 99 completed the survey at 6 weeks postpartum.
Main Results:
- Informal social networks were the primary source of infant care support.
- Husbands/partners and mothers were the most frequent informal support providers.
- Public health nurses and midwives provided key informational, instrumental, and appraisal support from formal networks.
Conclusions:
- Social support for new mothers is multifaceted, originating from both informal and formal sources.
- Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, should recognize the diverse support structures available to mothers.
- Tailored support strategies acknowledging varied providers are essential for first-time mothers.
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