title: Primiparous and multiparous mothers' perceptions of social support from nursing professionals in postnatal wards.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  the study aimed at evaluating primiparous or multiparous mothers' perceptions of social support from nursing professionals (SSNP) in postnatal wards and factors associated with SSNP.
  
  
  METHODS
  a cross-sectional and correlational design was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  data was collected in 2007-2008 in two maternity hospitals with a convenience sample of Finnish-comprehending primiparous and multiparous mothers (N=1300). Multiple-birth and early discharge mothers were excluded. The amount of SSNP including affection, affirmation and concrete aid was measured. Questionnaires were returned from 754 mothers (58%). Fisher's exact test, t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, ordinal regression and multiple regression were used in the analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  mothers perceived the amount of SSNP as moderate. The amount of affirmational support was perceived as the highest compared with concrete and affectional support. Multiparas received statistically significantly less concrete aid compared with primiparas. The number of mother- and infant-related factors was substantial and their association was stronger among primiparas. Depressive symptoms were a significant factor among multiparas. Advice from nursing professionals, parenting self-efficacy, mother's age and infant age explained 54.0% of the variation in SSNP for primiparas. Correspondingly, advice from nursing professionals, state of mind on hospital discharge and family functioning explained 49.3% of the variation in SSNP for multiparas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  primiparas that are vulnerable for a scarce amount of SSNP were easier to recognise on the basis of their background information, infant characteristics, childbirth-related factors, and sense of efficacy. Challenges lie in taking into account the whole family, especially among multiparas, and in developing professionals' guidance skills. Among primiparas the model of postpartum care may matter. Our results give professionals a better understanding of the resources and challenges faced by mothers in order to develop postnatal SSNP.
authors.affiliation: University of Tampere, Institute for Advanced Social Research (IASR), Research Collegium, Tampere, Finland; National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, P.O. Box 30, FIN-00271, Finland. Electronic address: anne.salonen@thl.fi.
authors.forename: Anne H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Salonen
authors.affiliation: University of Glamorgan, Faculty of Health, Sport and Science, Pontypridd, UK; SSHF, Kristiansand, Moneheia 16, 4656 Hamresanden, Norway. Electronic address: hanna.oommen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oommen
authors.affiliation: University of Tampere, School of Health Sciences, FI-33014, Finland; Pirkanmaa Hospital District, General Administration, Tampere, Finland. Electronic address: marja.kaunonen@uta.fi.
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaunonen
mesh_terms: D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Inquiry research; Maternal health services; Mothers; Social support