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Obtaining confirmation through social relationships: Norwegian first‐time mothers' experiences while on maternity leave
Author(s) -
Alstveit Marit,
Severinsson Elisabeth,
Karlsen Bjørg
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
nursing and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.563
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1442-2018
pISSN - 1441-0745
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-2018.2009.00508.x
Subject(s) - norwegian , maternity leave , feeling , psychology , theme (computing) , nursing , social psychology , social support , service (business) , developmental psychology , medicine , sick leave , business , philosophy , linguistics , computer science , physical therapy , operating system , marketing
The social relationships of employed women on maternity leave undergo significant changes. The aim of the study was to illuminate first‐time mothers' experiences of social relationships while on maternity leave. Nine mothers were interviewed at both 3–5 months and 11–14 months post‐partum and the data were analyzed by means of interpretative analysis. The main theme of obtaining confirmation through social relationships was based on two themes (being confirmed by other mothers and balancing between being a mother and an employee) and on four subthemes (seeking company, sharing experiences, feeling ineffective and in a state of stagnation, and trying to handle contact with the workplace). In order to strengthen the social relationships of mothers, the mother–child health service should offer all mothers the opportunity to join a peer support group, while employers could keep in regular contact with staff members on maternity leave.