The everyday life information seeking behaviours of first-time mothers

Abstract

The authors are grateful to the mothers and staff from the support group and representatives from the local health and library services, who all very generously shared their time and experiences. Structured AbstractPurpose The study investigates the everyday life information seeking behaviours of first-time mothers, as they encounter new, significant and pressing information needs which arise alongside their new responsibilities.Design/methodology/approach -A qualitative approach, combining narrative interviews with participatory methods to facilitate engagement and remain sensitive to the social context.Findings -Mothers particularly valued the experiential nature of information received from peers or family members. However, fear of judgment influenced their use of interpersonal sources, both onand off-line. Their accounts of information seeking contained instances of confusion, tension, conflict, and information overload. F information needs from others, including healthcare professionals.Research limitations/implications -There was a notable absence of younger (<20 y.o.) and/or less educated mothers in the study. This corresponds to previous findings which report that very young mothers are reluctant to participate in support groups with older mothers. They remain an understudied and potentially marginalised group. Practical implications -The findings show how social support groups can mitigate for societal information within a trusted environment. The study highlights the importance of healthcare and information services professionals remaining sensitive to such pressures. Relatedly, the finding that public libraries are used very little has implications for audience engagement and service provision.Originality/value -Focused upon firstof parenthood, the study provides insight into how relationships and experiences with information gatekeepers and others influences information seeking behaviours. Provides evidence that fear of judgment can influence information seeking behaviour, helping us to understand why some information sources, although considered important and useful, can be used very little.

Relationships, environment, health and development: The information needs expressed online by young first‐time mothers

“…Informational support is critical for mothers preparing for their new life role and to enable them to feel confident in their transition to motherhood (Darvill, Skirton et al ; Leahy‐Warren, McCarthy et al ; Loudon, Buchanan et al ) and, as motherhood develops, so do the information practices of individual mothers (Greyson ). Mothers and mothers‐to‐be have many potential sources of information including family, friends, print and broadcast media, health professionals, digital resources, and other mothers (Berkule‐Silberman, Dreyer et al ).…”

“…Motherhood is a significant life change that creates information needs across a range of topics and raises new needs regarding support, socialization and relationships (Carolan , Robb, McInery et al ; Loudon, Buchanan et al ). There are many sources of information available to new mothers who have to choose how to use these different sources and which sources to use for which needs.…”

“…There are many sources of information available to new mothers who have to choose how to use these different sources and which sources to use for which needs. Several studies have shown that the social networks of family and friends are more commonly used than formal information sources (Berkule‐Silberman, Dreyer et al ; Leahy‐Warren, McCarthy et al ; Loudon, Buchanan et al ) with other mothers being a particularly strong source of information, support and advice (Johns & English ; Loudon, Buchanan et al ). Relationships with professionals vary greatly from episodic, needs‐based interactions with family doctors who are seen as highly trusted as information sources but not often accessed for information (Loudon, Buchanan et al ) to closer relationships with other professionals such as midwives (McKenzie ).…”

The role of information resources in young fathers' parenting experiences

“…The parenting arena is further fraught by multiple sources offering conflicting information and parents' perceptions that their decisions and actions are monitored and judged by others, from health professionals to strangers (O'Brien, Greyson, Chabot & Shoveller, 2018). For example, Loudon, Buchanan and Ruthven (2016) found that parents did not always share information with health professionals for fear of being negatively evaluated. Low-income and young parents may experience additional monitoring due to the threat of child apprehension from social services, making them less likely to trust professionals or to reach out for help when they need it (Romagnoli & Wall, 2004;Walker, 2012).…”

Social networks usage implications at the level of medical services consumption in Romania

“…In another study, it has been highlighted the fact that the experiential nature of information received over the network from family members or peers is very much valuated in case of first-time mothers, as they feel the pressure to comply with the social status of "good mother" [Loudon, Buchanan, Ruthven, 2016]. Still, because of this special situation, the behaviour related with the use of information was characterized by tension, conflict and a kind of information overload.…”