title: Low-income pregnant mothers' experiences of a peer-professional social support intervention.
abstract: This article describes 7 low-income mothers' experiences of attending a motivational event that combined peer and professional support in a baby-shower luncheon. The event provided a group context that reinforced health-enhancing messages presented by nurses and other professional staff in home visits. Important themes that emerged in qualitative analysis include reduction of isolation and promotion of bonding; information sharing and modeling to others; and enhancement of self-esteem. A discussion of how community health nurses can use these strategies in caring for pregnant women is presented.
authors.affiliation: PEACE, Inc. Early Head Start, Syracuse, NY 13203, USA. rcanuso@peace-caa.org
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Canuso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D010379:Peer Group; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support