Open AccessType, Content, and Source of Social Support Perceived by Women during Pregnancy: Evidence from Matlab, Bangladesh
Author(s) -
Joyce K. Edmonds,
Moni Paul,
Lynn Sibley
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of health, population and nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2072-1315
pISSN - 1606-0997
DOI - 10.3329/jhpn.v29i2.7859
Subject(s) - social support , receipt , psychological intervention , content analysis , psychology , emotional support , content (measure theory) , social psychology , medicine , nursing , computer science , sociology , world wide web , social science , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Specific and contextualized data on social support during distinct health events are needed to improve social support interventions. This study identified the type, content, and source of social support perceived by women during pregnancy. In-depth interviews with 25 women, aged 18-49 years, living in Matlab, Bangladesh, were conducted. The findings demonstrated that women perceived, the receipt of eight distinct types of support. The four most frequently-mentioned types included: practical help with routine activities, information/advice, emotional support and assurance, as well as the provision of resources and material goods. Sources varied by type of support and most frequently included-mothers, mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and husbands. Examples depicting the content of each type of support revealed culturally-specific issues that can inform community-based social support interventions.