title: Types of support expected and received by mothers after their infants' discharge from the NICU.
abstract: This descriptive study examined specific types of social support that mothers of preterm infants expected before, and received after, their infant's hospital discharge. The convenience sample consisted of 37 mothers of hospitalized preterm infants. The Postpartum Support Questionnaire, developed as a measure of perceived support specific to the postpartum situation, was used. The women found that material, emotional, and comparison support were more important than they had expected prior to bringing their infants home from the hospital. In addition, the women received less than they had expected of all types of support except comparison. In view of the results, mothers of preterm infants should be assisted in identifying individuals in their environments who can best meet their specific needs. In addition, maternity and pediatric nurses need to be involved in the follow-up care of these women and their infants.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Logsdon
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Birkmer
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires