Sense of coherence in first-time parents: a longitudinal study

Ahlborg, Tone; Berg, Stig; Lindvig, Jenny

doi:10.1177/1403494813484992

Cited by 21 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Social support during pregnancy has been shown to increase parenting coherence postpartum for adult parents [4], and our results suggest that this association is also present for adolescent and young adult parents. It is possible that pregnant adolescents and their partners who feel more supported during pregnancy have a more positive sense of their parenting potential, which increases their sense of parenting satisfaction.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

“…High levels of parenting competence can lead to beneficial health outcomes for children and healthier child-care practices [2, 3]. Factors associated with coherence during parenthood are well-documented in older parents but not in adolescent parents [4]. Social support, including the positive support of family and friends, increases parenting competence by providing encouragement and resources during the period of role-transition [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social Support, Family Functioning and Parenting Competence in Adolescent Parents

Angley¹,

Divney

Magriples

et al. 2014

Matern Child Health J

132

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Depression is known to mediate the association between low social support and parenting competence in adult mothers, but this relationship is rarely assessed in adolescent mothers and fathers. The primary aim of this study was to identify the association between social support, family functioning and social capital on parenting competence, including self-efficacy and satisfaction in adolescent mothers and their partners. Secondary aims included identifying potential partner effects (e.g. whether a partner's social support influenced the respondent's parenting efficacy). Data was obtained from a subset of participants from a longitudinal study of pregnant adolescent females and their partners. Couples completed individual structured interviews via audio computer-assisted self-interview during pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. To measure the influence of support on parenting outcomes, multi-level modeling was used to assess the Actor–Partner Interdependence model, which examines responses from both members of a dyad in a single analysis. Greater social support was associated with increased parenting self-efficacy (B = 0.062, p = 0.006) and parenting satisfaction (B = 0.111, p < 0.001). Higher family functioning was also associated with greater parenting satisfaction (B = 0.05, p = 0.035). Greater partner family functioning was associated with higher parenting satisfaction (B = 0.047, p = 0.026). This study found the importance of a strong support structure during pregnancy on perceived parenting competence in the early postpartum period for young mothers and fathers. Both social support and family functioning during pregnancy were associated with a greater sense of parenting competence, and these associations were mediated by parental depression. The results of this study underscore the importance of providing social support for young expectant fathers as well as mothers.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Support, Family Functioning and Parenting Competence in Adolescent Parents

Angley¹,

Divney

Magriples

et al. 2014

Matern Child Health J

132

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…This is also evident in the current study, where women talk about the impact of the family and network. Wolff and Ratner (1999) and Ahlborg et al (2013), claim that support from close relationships strengthens the SOC and that this will lead to greater coping skills. The authors also point out that if individuals have 'significant others', they achieve a higher personal strength and are better able to cope with the situation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Wolff and Ratner (1999) and Lindström and Eriksson (2005) show that manageability and comprehensibility are strengthened when you discover meaning in the challenges. Ahlborg et al (2013) emphasise that becoming parents is a major life event, which becomes less challenging if you have a strong SOC. When you deal with this challenge, the SOC remains stable.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Promoting a normal birth and a positive birth experience — Norwegian women׳s perspectives

Aune¹,

Torvik

Selboe

et al. 2015

Midwifery

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“…Ahlborg et al (2013) report that SOC is higher in fathers than in mothers among first-time parents during the child's first years.…”

Section: Coping and Sense Of Coherencementioning

confidence: 99%

What about the parents? : Sleep quality, mood, saliva cortisol response and sense of coherence in parents with a child admitted to pediatric care

Angelhoff¹

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Parents experience many stressful situations when their child is ill and needs medical care, irrespective of the child’s age, diagnosis or the severity of the illness. Poor sleep quality and negative mood decrease the parents’ ability to sustain attention and focus, to care for their ill child, and to cope with the challenges they face. The overall aim of this thesis was to evaluate sleep, mood, cortisol response, and sense of coherence (SOC) in parents caring for children in need of medical care, and to identify factors that may influence parents’ sleep. This thesis includes four original studies; two of these are quantitative, prospective, descriptive and comparative studies including parents (n=82) accommodated in six pediatric wards with their ill child, using questionnaires and sleep logs to measure sleep, mood and SOC, and saliva cortisol to measure cortisol response. A follow-up was performed four weeks later at home, after hospital discharge. The other two studies are qualitative, inductive and explorative interview studies, including parents (n=12) staying overnight with their preterm and/or ill infant in three neonatal intensive care units, and parents (n=15) with a child receiving hospital-based home care in two pediatric outpatient clinics. The interviews were analyzed with a phenomenographic method. Being together with one’s family seems beneficial for sleep and may decrease stress. The ability to stay with the child, in the hospital or at home, was highly appreciated by the parents. When caring for a child with illness, parents’ sleep quality was sufficient in the hospital; however, sleep quality improved further (p<0.05) at home after discharge. The parents reported frequent nocturnal awakenings in the hospital caused by the child, medical treatment and hospital staff. Concern and anxiety about the child’s health, and uncertainty about the future were stressors affecting the parents’ sleep and mood negatively. The parents had lower (p=0.01) morning awakening cortisol levels in the pediatric ward compared to at home, and parents accommodated for more than one night had lower (p<0.05) post-awakening cortisol levels compared to parents staying their first night. The findings of this thesis conclude that being together as a family is important for the parents’ sleep. The ability to be accommodated in the hospital and gather the family around the child may have given the parents time for relaxation and recovery, that in turn may lead to a less stressful hospital stay. When it is beneficial for the child, the whole family should be included in the pediatric care. Moreover, pediatric nurses must acknowledge parents’ sleep, in hospital and at home. Medical treatment and care at night should be scheduled and sleep promoted for the parents in order to maintain health and well-being in the family.

The electronic version of the thesis is a corrected version of the printed thesis.

This thesis has also been funded by Barnklinikens 60-årsfond, Filip SchelinsStiftelse, Riksföreningen för barnsjuk...

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Sense of coherence in first-time parents: a longitudinal study

Abstract: SOC in first-time parents decreased at 4 years, especially in mothers, and social support can be of significance for parents of young children to be able to experience health.

Cited by 21 publications

References 20 publications

Social Support, Family Functioning and Parenting Competence in Adolescent Parents

Social Support, Family Functioning and Parenting Competence in Adolescent Parents

Promoting a normal birth and a positive birth experience — Norwegian women׳s perspectives

What about the parents? : Sleep quality, mood, saliva cortisol response and sense of coherence in parents with a child admitted to pediatric care

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