Social Media Use Among Parents and Women of Childbearing Age in the US

Waring, Molly E.; Carr, Loneke T. Blackman; Heersping, Grace E

doi:10.5888/pcd20.220194

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…When comparing the variables in terms of which services women chose to access, online media users were more likely to be younger, White, multiparous and less educated when compared to those who contacted the telephone helpline. These findings align with wider literature in terms of younger parents being more ‘technology savvy’, and are more accustomed to, and prefer interacting online [ 24 , 27 , 28 ]. Our findings support this by suggesting that online media can provide a useful source of support for parents in this cohort.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Comparing factors associated with overall satisfaction for different forms of remote breastfeeding support in the UK

Thomson,

Balaam,

Tishkovskaya

2024

Int Breastfeed J

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Background Remote forms of breastfeeding support, such as helplines and social media, offer a flexible and convenient form of support to offer help at critical points, e.g., when the risk of breastfeeding cessation is high. Currently, there is little known about who accesses different forms of remote breastfeeding support and what factors impact overall satisfaction. As part of an evaluation of the UK National Breastfeeding Helpline (NBH) (which offers breastfeeding support via a helpline and online media), we aimed to (a) understand who accesses different forms of NBH support, and (b) identify key factors associated with overall satisfaction for helpline and online media support. Methods All service users who contacted the NBH between November 2021 and March 2022 were invited to participate in the evaluation via an online survey. Survey questions explored the type and timing of support, reasons for the contact, attitudes towards the help and support received, impact of the support on breastfeeding experiences and demographic factors. Chi-squared and Mann–Whitney tests explored variations in who accessed the helpline or online media. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to explore the factors related to the service users’ ‘overall satisfaction’. The quantitive data were combined with qualitative comments into descriptive themes. Results Overall, online media users were significantly more likely to be younger, White, multiparous, less educated and have English as a first language compared to those who contact the helpline. Similar factors that significantly influenced overall satisfaction for both support models were the service being easy to access, receiving helpful information that met expectations, resolving breastfeeding issues, and feeling reassured and more confident. Significant factors for the helpline were callers feeling understood and more knowledgeable about breastfeeding following the call, being able to put into practice the information provided, feeling encouraged to continue breastfeeding, feeling that the volunteer gave the support that was needed, and seeking out additional support. Conclusions Online and helpline forms of breastfeeding support suit different demographics and call purposes. While optimal breastfeeding support needs to be accessible, flexible and instrumental, helpline users need real-time relational support to deal with more complex challenges.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Comparing factors associated with overall satisfaction for different forms of remote breastfeeding support in the UK

Thomson,

Balaam,

Tishkovskaya

2024

Int Breastfeed J

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“…Facebook may be an effective platform for remotely delivering evidence-based weight loss programming to postpartum women. Currently, 70% of US adults aged 18-29 years and 77% of adults aged 30-49 years use Facebook [17], with higher rates of use among mothers (87%) and women aged 18-39 years (84%) [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many mothers turn to Facebook for support and information about parenting issues [19,20], and 80% of parents who use Facebook engage on the platform daily [18]. Using this popular commercial social media platform for intervention delivery allows us to leverage women's daily routines to engage them in behavior change.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delivering a Postpartum Weight Loss Intervention via Facebook or In-Person Groups: Results From a Randomized Pilot Feasibility Trial

Waring¹,

Pagoto²,

Simas³

et al. 2023

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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Background Postpartum weight retention contributes to weight gain and obesity. Remotely delivered lifestyle interventions may be able to overcome barriers to attending in-person programs during this life phase. Objective This study aimed to conduct a randomized feasibility pilot trial of a 6-month postpartum weight loss intervention delivered via Facebook or in-person groups. Feasibility outcomes were recruitment, sustained participation, contamination, retention, and feasibility of study procedures. Percent weight loss at 6 and 12 months were exploratory outcomes. Methods Women with overweight or obesity who were 8 weeks to 12 months post partum were randomized to receive a 6-month behavioral weight loss intervention based on the Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle intervention via Facebook or in-person groups. Participants completed assessments at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Sustained participation was defined by intervention meeting attendance or visible engagement in the Facebook group. We calculated percent weight change for participants who provided weight at each follow-up. Results Among individuals not interested in the study, 68.6% (72/105) were not interested in or could not attend in-person meetings and 2.9% (3/105) were not interested in the Facebook condition. Among individuals excluded at screening, 18.5% (36/195) were ineligible owing to reasons related to the in-person condition, 12.3% (24/195) related to the Facebook condition, and 2.6% (5/195) were unwilling to be randomized. Randomized participants (n=62) were a median of 6.1 (IQR 3.1-8.3) months post partum, with a median BMI of 31.7 (IQR 28.2-37.4) kg/m2. Retention was 92% (57/62) at 6 months and 94% (58/62) at 12 months. The majority (21/30, 70%) of Facebook and 31% (10/32) of in-person participants participated in the last intervention module. Half (13/26, 50%) of Facebook and 58% (15/26) of in-person participants would be likely or very likely to participate again if they had another baby, and 54% (14/26) and 70% (19/27), respectively, would be likely or very likely to recommend the program to a friend. In total, 96% (25/26) of Facebook participants reported that it was convenient or very convenient to log into the Facebook group daily compared with 7% (2/27) of in-person participants who said it was convenient or very convenient to attend group meetings each week. Average weight loss was 3.0% (SD 7.2%) in the Facebook condition and 5.4% (SD 6.8%) in the in-person condition at 6 months, and 2.8% (SD 7.4%) in the Facebook condition and 4.8% (SD 7.6%) in the in-person condition at 12 months. Conclusions Barriers to attending in-person meetings hampered recruitment efforts and intervention participation. Although women found the Facebook group convenient and stayed engaged in the group, weight loss appeared lower. Research is needed to further develop care models for postpartum weight loss that balance accessibility with efficacy. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03700736; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03700736

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“…The majority of adults of childbearing age in the US use Instagram, with higher rates among younger adults; 71% of 18–24 years old, 54% of 25–29 years old, and 48% of 30–49 years old use this social media platform ( 11 ). Sixty-five percent of US women of typical childbearing age (18–39 years) use Instagram, of whom 68% engage on the platform daily ( 12 ). Pregnancy is popular on Instagram, with 22.2 and 25.6 million posts including the hashtags #pregnancy or #pregnant, respectively, in July 2023.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interest in an Instagram-delivered gestational weight gain intervention among pregnant women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity

Waring,

Arigo,

Rudin

et al. 2024

mHealth

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Background Barriers to attending in-person lifestyle interventions are common during pregnancy. The majority of young adults use Instagram, and pregnancy-related content abounds on this social media platform. The aims of this study were to assess interest in an Instagram-delivered gestational weight gain (GWG) intervention, examine characteristics associated with program interest, describe interest in specific program components, and to explore perceived advantages of and concerns about the proposed intervention. Methods English-speaking pregnant women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity in the US who use Instagram completed a cross-sectional online survey (N=229). Participants reported interest in a proposed Instagram-delivered GWG intervention (very/quite a bit versus somewhat/a little bit/not at all interested), demographics, and Instagram use habits. Characteristics associated with program interest were examined using logistic regression models. Responses to open-ended questions about program likes and concerns were content-analyzed. Results Thirty-four percent were very or quite a bit interested in an Instagram-delivered GWG intervention, and women with children, those who were more extraverted, and those with greater engagement on Instagram were more likely to report interest. Among participants with high program interest, 63–95% were interested in specific intervention components and 52–82% were willing to engage in different aspects of the intervention. Participants liked the potential for information, peer support, convenience, and accountability, but reported concerns about privacy/confidentiality, social pressure, time required, and negative psychological consequences. Conclusions Fostering a positive, supportive group culture may be key to leveraging Instagram to deliver a GWG intervention.

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Social Media Use Among Parents and Women of Childbearing Age in the US

Cited by 14 publications

References 11 publications

Comparing factors associated with overall satisfaction for different forms of remote breastfeeding support in the UK

Comparing factors associated with overall satisfaction for different forms of remote breastfeeding support in the UK

Delivering a Postpartum Weight Loss Intervention via Facebook or In-Person Groups: Results From a Randomized Pilot Feasibility Trial

Interest in an Instagram-delivered gestational weight gain intervention among pregnant women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity

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