title: Investigating the relationship between satisfaction with social support and functional status after childbirth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the relationship between satisfaction with support and functional status after childbirth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective longitudinal survey design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred new mothers who had experienced a healthy pregnancy, normal delivery and puerperium, and delivered a healthy infant between 37 and 42 weeks gestation were approached while attending primary healthcare maternal-child health centers and immunization clinics in New South Wales, Australia. Measurement tools included the Inventory of Functional Status After Childbirth and the Support Behavior Inventory, and were administered at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant increases in total mean functional scores, scores for household responsibilities, social activities, and self-care were noted. Although no significant correlation was found between satisfaction with social support and functional status after childbirth, satisfaction with support from one's partner decreased significantly during the 6-month survey period, as did satisfaction with support from others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It could be that providers need to assess the social support needs of their clients. A postnatal support plan could be used by mothers to negotiate the long-term involvement of others in household tasks and selected aspects of infant care.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McVeigh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors