Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Title abbreviation: Adv Clin Exp Med
JCR Impact Factor (IF) – 1.736
5-Year Impact Factor – 2.135
Index Copernicus  – 168.52
MEiN – 70 pts

ISSN 1899–5276 (print)
ISSN 2451-2680 (online)
Periodicity – monthly

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Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

2014, vol. 23, nr 4, July-August, p. 611–619

Publication type: original article

Language: English

Life Satisfaction and Social Support Received by Women in the Perinatal Period

Grażyna Gebuza1,A,B,C,D,E,F,G, Marzena Kaźmierczak1,B,C,E,F,G, Estera Mieczkowska1,B,C,E,F,G, Małgorzata Gierszewska1,B,C,E,F, Roman Kotzbach2,E,F

1 Department of Obstetric Care Basics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland

2 NCU, Head of the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland

Abstract

Background. . Birth of a baby has a big impact on women’s lives. The presence and help of loved ones favours wellbeing, health, coping with difficult situations. The aim of this study was to determine whether women’s satisfaction with life changes during pregnancy and after delivery, and to identify correlates of life satisfaction.
Material and Methods. Life satisfaction was measured using The Satisfaction with Life Scale – SWLS and received social support was assessed using the Berlin Social Support Scales – BSSS. The study was conducted in the third trimester of pregnancy and during the postpartum period, before discharge from the hospital. The research sample included a total of 199 women in the third trimester of pregnancy and 188 of initially participating women, who had physiological births or caesarean sections.
Results. The results clearly show a significant increase in life satisfaction in the postpartum period (p < 0.0001). An important correlate of life satisfaction in the third trimester of pregnancy is social support received (p < 0.0001). During pregnancy such a correlate is emotional support received, and in the postnatal periodinstrumental support received. An increase in instrumental support received (p = 0.031) and informational (p = 0.013) has been observed in the postpartum period.
Conclusion. The assessment of life satisfaction and received social support seem to be needed to gain a full picture of women’s situation during birth, which will allow for planning and implementing maternity care appropriate to the needs of women.

Key words

life satisfaction, social support, pregnancy, postpartum period.

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