Utilization of child health services, stress, social support and child characteristics in primiparous and multiparous mothers of 18-month-old children

Abstract

Aim: Traditionally, the child health services have laid emphasis on first-time mothers.Some researchers have argued that the needs of multiparous mothers must be considered equally important. The aim of this paper was to analyse parity-related characteristics in pairs of mothers and 18-month-old children. Methods:The study was population-based and cross-sectional. 586 primiparous mothers and 821 mothers with at least one previous child completed a questionnaire. Additional information was extracted from the child health records by the nurses. Data were collected in 2002-2003 and 2004-2005. Results: Compared to multiparous mothers, primiparous mothers had a higher utilization of child health services. Multiparous mothers scored higher on parental incompetence stress and felt that their work load was more demanding. Multiparous mothers reported less social support, particularly in practical respects such as baby-sitting. They considered their interaction with the child as less satisfactory than did primiparous mothers; their children participated less in shared reading and had a more restricted vocabulary. Fewer multiparous mothers assessed their own and their child's total situation as very good. Conclusion:The child health services should develop competence and methods to support multiparous mothers and alleviate their workload when caring for several children.

Examining inequities in children’s environmental health: results of a survey on the risk perceptions and protective actions of new mothers

“…However, primiparity was found to increase the likelihood of taking protective action. In a Swedish study by Lagerberg and Magnusson (2013) comparing utilization of health services, stress and social support among primiparous and multiparous mothers, primiparous mothers reported fewer time constraints, less stress, more social support and better access to child health services than their multiparous counterparts. These findings may explain why primiparous mothers in our study were not more concerned than multiparous mothers as such factors could be expected to reduce overall levels of concern, including concerns about environmental health risks, and increase the likelihood of taking protective action.…”

Factors influencing the relationship between socioeconomic status and prenatal smoking.

“…Parity varied across studies, but the majority of women composing the study samples were multiparous which is consistent with the broader prenatal smoking literature (Lagerberg & Magnusson, 2013;Schneider et al, 2010). Perhaps a more important related variable is unintended pregnancy.…”

“…These include parity (Lagerberg & Magnusson, 2013;Schneider, Huy, Schütz, & Diehl, 2010), marital/cohabitation status (Goodwin et al, 2007;Penn & Owen, 2002), second hand smoke exposure (SHS) Schneider et al, 2010), and stress (Crittenden, Manfredi, Cho, & Dolecek, 2007;Schneider et al, 2010). Depression (Linares et al, 2009;Meghea, Rus, & Rus, 2012), nicotine dependence (Crittenden et al, 2007;Meghea et al, 2012) and social support (Bullock, Mears, Woodcock, & Record, 2001;DeJin-Karlsson, Hanson, Ostergren, Ranstam, Isacsson, S ber g, 1996) were also linked with prenatal smoking.…”

Maternity groups in the postpartum period at well child clinics – mothers’ experiences

“…However, the current study shows the benefit of both multiparous and primiparous mothers together in the maternity groups. According to Lagerberg and Magnusson (), multiparous mothers also need support and the health service should develop methods to support them. WCCs should continue to invite both multiparous and first‐time mothers to participate in maternity groups.…”