Do information support and other types of support increase women's confidence in their roles as mother?

This study aimed to identify whether the number of supporters who provided different types of support including information to women had any positive effects on the women's confidence in undertaking their mother roles. Background: A woman's ability to undertake her maternal roles is a learnt behaviour in her social and cultural context. The woman who has had good social support is likely to have better health outcomes along with her infant's health outcomes. The woman may have a range of supporters who provide different types of support but it is clear whether the postpartum woman's social support influences her confidence in undertaking her roles as a mother. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in two Queensland regional hospitals. Of 210 women who were invited to participate in the study, 172 (81.9%) agreed to participate. The women were telephone interviewed within four weeks after being discharged from a hospital. The types of support were classified as instrumental, information, appraisal or emotional support. The women's supporters were categorised to partners, parents or parent in laws, relatives, friends or health professionals. A relationship between types of support and the woman's confidence in undertaking her role as a mother was assessed. Findings: Women's support including information support did not have any positive effects on the women's confidence in undertaking their roles as mothers. Conclusion: Within four weeks after giving birth, the women's support did not have positive effects on their confidence in their mother roles. Learning maternal roles may be influenced by various factors beyond information support.