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“I don't let everyone see my struggles”: Mothers' social support and privacy management
Author(s) -
Vik Tennley A.,
DeGroot Jocelyn M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
personal relationships
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.81
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1475-6811
pISSN - 1350-4126
DOI - 10.1111/pere.12372
Subject(s) - anticipation (artificial intelligence) , psychology , presentation (obstetrics) , social psychology , face (sociological concept) , internet privacy , social support , social media , self disclosure , world wide web , sociology , computer science , medicine , social science , artificial intelligence , radiology
This study explored the connection between communication privacy management and person‐centered messages directed toward mothers, as they make decisions to disclose or not disclose parenting challenges in the face of needing social support. One hundred thirty‐six mothers completed the online open‐ended survey. Findings revealed that, if they chose to share their challenges, mothers tended to disclose parenting challenges to others with whom they identified. Reasons for reifying rigid privacy boundaries include maintaining positive self‐presentation, buffering from judgment of others, the anticipation of low person‐centered messages, and experiences with others constructing hurtful social support messages. Participants also reflected on their experiences and identified their own social support needs.