Important variables for parents’ postnatal sense of security: evaluating a new Swedish instrument (the PPSS instrument)

Abstract

Objective to evaluate dimensions of both parents’ postnatal sense of security the first week after childbirth, and to determine associations between the PPSS instrument and different sociodemographic and situational background variables. Design evaluative, cross-sectional design. Participants and settings 113 mothers and 99 fathers with children live born at term, from five hospitals in southern Sweden. Measurements and findings mothers and fathers had similar feelings concerning postnatal sense of security. Of the dimensions in the PPSS instrument, a sense of midwives’/nurses’ empowering behaviour, a sense of one's own general well-being and a sense of the mother's well-being as experienced by the father were the most important dimensions for parents’ experienced security. A sense of affinity within the family (for both parents) and a sense of manageable breast feeding (for mothers) were not significantly associated with their experienced security. A sense of participation during pregnancy and general anxiety were significantly associated background variables for postnatal sense of security for both parents. For the mothers, parity and a sense that the father was participating during pregnancy were also significantly associated. Key conclusions and implications for practice more focus on parents’ participation during pregnancy as well as midwives’/nurses’ empowering behaviour during the postnatal period will be beneficial for both parents’ postnatal sense of security.