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Maternal and Child Health Journal
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal 7/2012

01-10-2012

New Mothers and Media Use: Associations Between Blogging, Social Networking, and Maternal Well-Being

Authors: Brandon T. McDaniel, Sarah M. Coyne, Erin K. Holmes

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 7/2012

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Abstract

Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory and prior empirical research, the current study examines the way that blogging and social networking may impact feelings of connection and social support, which in turn could impact maternal well-being (e.g., marital functioning, parenting stress, and depression). One hundred and fifty-seven new mothers reported on their media use and various well-being variables. On average, mothers were 27 years old (SD = 5.15) and infants were 7.90 months old (SD = 5.21). All mothers had access to the Internet in their home. New mothers spent approximately 3 hours on the computer each day, with most of this time spent on the Internet. Findings suggested that frequency of blogging predicted feelings of connection to extended family and friends which then predicted perceptions of social support. This in turn predicted maternal well-being, as measured by marital satisfaction, couple conflict, parenting stress, and depression. In sum, blogging may improve new mothers’ well-being, as they feel more connected to the world outside their home through the Internet.
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Metadata
Title
New Mothers and Media Use: Associations Between Blogging, Social Networking, and Maternal Well-Being
Authors
Brandon T. McDaniel
Sarah M. Coyne
Erin K. Holmes
Publication date
01-10-2012
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 7/2012
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-011-0918-2

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