title: [Maternal concerns and social support during postpartum period].
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the dimension of maternal concerns during postpartum, and the effects of parity, time and social support on maternal concerns. Ninety-four women were recruited at one to five days after giving birth, and followed up at one month postpartum. Three instruments were used for data collection: the demographic questionnaire, the Maternal Concerns Questionnaire and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. There were four dimensions of postpartum maternal concerns: "concerns of life and social contact", "concerns of maternal role", "physiological concerns" and "psychological concerns". The results shown that the most intensive concerns of postpartum women were about maternal role. Primiparas had more concerns about maternal role than multiparas. Physiological concerns at one-month postpartum were decreased markedly compared with the early postpartum period. Psychological concerns were increased from the early postpartum period to one-month postpartum, and in primiparas they were increased more significantly. There were no significant correlations between social support and maternal concerns. It is suggested that postpartum health education should provide more information and technical practice focusing on maternal role. Obstetric nurses and community health nurses should enhance postnatal follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Chung Hwa College of Medical Technology.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010298:Parity; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012944:Social Support; D013624:Taiwan