title: Maternal parental self-efficacy in newborn care and social support needs in Singapore: a correlational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the correlation between maternal parental self-efficacy and social support as well as predictors of self-efficacy in the early postpartum period.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Maternal parental self-efficacy is important for mothers' adaptation to motherhood. Lack of support could result in decreased maternal parental self-efficacy in newborn care. Limited studies have focused on maternal parental self-efficacy in the postpartum period in Asia and none in Singapore.
  
  
  METHODS
  A correlational study design was adopted.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from both primiparas and multiparas during the first to third days postpartum in a public hospital, using the Perceived Maternal Parental Self-efficacy and Perinatal Infant Care Social Support Scales. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maternal parental self-efficacy in newborn care and the level of social support that mothers received were moderate. In terms of the social support subscales, informational and instrumental support was lower than emotional and appraisal support. Informal support from husbands, parents and parents-in-law was the main source of support. A significant correlation was found between maternal parental self-efficacy and total social support in addition to the informational, instrumental and appraisal subscales of functional support. The predictors of maternal parental self-efficacy were parity, social support and maternal age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings highlight the predictors and correlates of maternal parental self-efficacy in newborn care and the social support needs of mothers in the early postpartum period. Healthcare professionals could provide more information and instrumental support and involve family members to enhance maternal parental self-efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because maternal parental self-efficacy and social support in the early postpartum period are interrelated components, they could be assessed to identify at-risk mothers. There is a need to develop perinatal educational programmes to provide culturally competent individualised support to mothers in need.
authors.affiliation: Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Shefaly
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shorey
authors.forename: Sally Wai-Chi
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Yap Seng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Hong-Gu
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010298:Parity; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012846:Singapore; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Singapore; correlational; midwifery; mothers; postnatal; postpartum; self-efficacy; social support