Mothers are especially vulnerable to the onset or recurrence of psychological symptoms during the postpartum period. However, protective psychosocial factors may provide a stress buffering effect and promote a positive adjustment trajectory. In this series of studies, qualitative, mixed, and psychometric development methods were utilized to examine the nature, process, and measurement of perceived social support among mothers disproportionately parenting in the context of low economic opportunity.
Study 1 utilized narrative interviews to explore themes related to maternal adjustment. Thematic analysis uncovered three key developmental processes: 1) “Stretching Identity; Transitioning Roles”, 2) “Navigating Stressors; Approaching Self-Efficacy”, and 3) “Changing Relationships; Strengthening Support.” Negative maternal self-attributions emerged as a key target for supportive intervention.
Study 2 utilized a mixed methods triangulation design to obtain complementary qualitative and quantitative data related to perceived maternal social support, and between-group comparisons according to economic opportunity were conducted. Notable patterns emerged; namely, mismatches between the type of functional support elicited (e.g., emotional support) and a supportive individual’s response style (e.g. problem solving), resulted in conflict and maternal distress. In addition, perceptions of the support provided by healthcare providers differed based on economic opportunity, with participants from the higher economic opportunity group perceiving interactions as emotionally and instrumentally supportive, and participants from the lower economic opportunity group perceiving interactions as instrumentally supportive only.
Study 3 contributed to the psychometric development of a novel, brief, and visually legible measure of perceived maternal social support originally developed for use in neonatal intensive care unit settings. Among mothers delivering at term, the measure demonstrated acceptable internal reliability, and a weak yet significant association with an established measure of perceived social support. Though trending in the expected directions, the measure demonstrated weak, nonsignificant discriminant validity when compared via correlational analyses with established mental health measures. The measure demonstrated stability across ranges of economic opportunity and cognitive ability.
These studies address gaps in understanding of the nature, process, and measurement of perceived maternal social support during the postpartum period. Collective findings highlight targets for supportive intervention to facilitate postpartum adjustment, and implications for research and practice.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/46358 |
| Date | 15 June 2023 |
| Creators | Adams, Laura Curren |
| Contributors | Tompson, Martha C. |
| Source Sets | Boston University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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