Pregnant families' discussions on the Net--from virtual connections toward real-life community.
The aim of this research was to analyze conversations between expectant families (N = 21) in Net Clinic, an Internet-based service designed for patients using public maternity care. The online conversations, shared opinions about experiences of pregnancy, and family life constituted the data for content analysis. The families developed a sense of virtual community, which gradually evolved into a real-life community, by discovering the similarity of their life situations and by giving parent-to-parent support for everyday life events. As a view of daily family life, Net Clinic offers maternity care professionals a deeper understanding of how to enhance safer pregnancy, birth, and growth of the family.
Kouri
Pirkko
P
Turunen
Hannele
H
Tossavainen
Kerttu
K
Saarikoski
Seppo
S
D000328:Adult; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D035502:Trust