title: Building social support systems through a babysitting exchange program.
abstract: The process of developing a babysitting exchange program is described. There was a steady increase in use of the exchange as women formed small groups and compatible pairs. About half the participants indicated that they found the exchange useful and would continue to use it. Participation was not found to have a differential impact on high-stressed and low-stressed mothers. Implications for the development and evaluation of social support networks are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications