JPE 34.2 Who’s Stressed? Social Factors and Women’s Stress Experiences 2 to 22 Months Postpartum

The authors examined the stressors of mothers between 2 and 22 months postpartum, the association of stressorswith social factors, and when stressors were heightened. Surveys of 372 women covered social factorsand postpartum stressors (Overload, Changesafterpregnancy, Baby care, Working mother concerns, Lowsupport, and Isolation). Overload was the most frequent stressor compared to the other stressors,p<.001. Full-time employment and number of children were the social factors most frequently associatedwith stressors. Overall, social factors were most highly associated with Working mother concerns. Findingsindicate that full-time employed mothers couldbenefitfrom workplace and community support. Inparticular, guidance from health care professionals and childbirth educators about managing stress couldaid mothers, especially those withfirstchildren

Authors: 
Lorraine O. Walker, EdD, MPH, RN
Nicole Murry, PhD, RN
Heather Becker, PhD

Participants may earn 1.0 Lamaze Contact Hours and 1.0 hour of CNE through the California Board of Registered Nursing.