Mothers Of Young Children Research Articles

Trajectories and Associations Between Maternal Depressive Symptoms, Household Chaos and Children's Adjustment through the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Four-Wave Longitudinal Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures have adversely affected the lives of people worldwide, raising concern over the pandemic's mental health consequences. Guided by a systemic model of family functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic (Prime et al., 2020), the current study aimed to examine how caregiver well-being (i.e., maternal depressive symptoms) and family organization (i.e., household chaos) are related to longitudinal trajectories of children's emotional and behavioral problems. Data were collected at four time points during and after home lockdown periods. Mothers of children (N = 230; 55% male) between the ages of two to five years were asked to complete questionnaires via an Israeli online research platform. Results indicated that emotional and behavioral problems, household chaos, and maternal depressive symptoms were the highest during the first lockdown assessment and dropped in the post-lockdown periods. Multilevel models further revealed that at the between-participants level, maternal depressive symptoms and household chaos positively predicted children's emotional and behavioral problems. At the within-participants level, household chaos fluctuations positively predicted fluctuations in child behavioral but not emotional problems. Our findings suggest that lockdowns have adverse effects on both maternal and child mental health. Screening for depressive symptoms among mothers of young children and maintaining household structure are important targets for future interventions to assist parents in navigating the multiple challenges brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10802-022-00954-w.

Changes in parental involvement and perceptions in parents of young children during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional observational study in Japan.

This study aimed to clarify changes in parental involvement with their children and parental perceptions related to parenting in both fathers and mothers of young children during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A cross-sectional observational design was used. Data were collected using a web-based questionnaire from 28 fathers and 115 mothers between October 1 and November 30, 2020. Parents answered questions regarding themselves, basic sociodemographic variables, perceived changes in involvement with their children, the presence or absence of abusive behavior (e.g., violence toward children), and parental perceptions related to parenting. Many parents indicated that they did not experience major changes in their involvement or perceptions compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. Half of the fathers considered themselves to be in more physical contact or communication with their children; there was a significant difference between fathers and mothers regarding eating meals with their children (p = 0.00). Fathers felt tired due to parenting (35.7%) or a lack of free time (42.9%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. While significantly more mothers than fathers responded that their partners took care of their children (p = 0.03), significantly greater number of mothers than fathers also reported feeling overburdened (p = 0.00). Family support workers should help fathers maintain involvement with their young children without high stress levels and support mothers to reduce their heavy burden of parenting continuously. This would contribute to young childrens growth and development despite a public health crisis.

Adapting a South African social innovation for maternal peer support to migrant communities in Sweden: a qualitative study

Introduction and aimSocial and health disparities persist in Sweden despite a high quality and universally accessible welfare system. One way of bridging social gaps is through social innovations targeting the most vulnerable groups. The South African Philani model, a social innovation for peer support aimed at pregnant women and mothers of young children, was adapted to the local context in southern Sweden. This study aimed to document and analyze the process of adapting the Philani model to the Swedish context.MethodsEight semi-structured interviews and three workshops were held with eleven stakeholders and peer supporters in the implementing organization and its steering committee. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe analysis resulted in five main themes and fifteen sub-themes representing different aspects of how the peer support model was contextualized. The main themes described rationalizations for focusing on social determinants rather than health behaviors, using indirect mechanisms and social ripple effects to achieve change, focusing on referring clients to established public and civil society services, responding to a heterogeneous sociocultural context by recruiting peer supporters with diverse competencies, and having a high degree of flexibility in how contact was made with clients and how their needs were met.ConclusionThe South African Philani model was contextualized to support socially disadvantaged mothers and expectant mothers among migrant communities in Sweden. In the process, adaptations of the intervention’s overall focus, working methods, and recruitment and outreach strategies were motivated by the existing range of services, the composition of the target group and the conditions of the delivering organization. This study highlights various considerations that arise when a social innovation developed in a low- or middle-income context is implemented in a high-income context.

Perceptions of Smartphone App Use among Mothers Raising Young Children.

The purpose of this study was to categorize subjective perceptions of smartphone app use among mothers with young children, derive characteristics of each perception type, and interpret the findings to determine appropriate smartphone use for each perception type. We applied the Q methodology to classify and analyze the types of perceptions of mothers with young children. Ultimately, we selected 40 Q samples by comprehensively analyzing in-depth interviews with mothers of young children and conducting reviews of literature related to smartphone app use. The P samples in the study consisted of 31 mothers. We performed data analysis using the QUANL program. The analysis identified four types of smartphone users: (1) “multi-adapters” who actively utilize functions, (2) “chaos dilemma” users who understand the disadvantages of smartphones but cannot refrain from using smartphone apps, (3) “time-killer dependent” users who utilize apps to relieve temporary stress and anxiety, and (4) “self-development focused users” who pursue positive changes. Based on these findings, we suggest ways in which mothers of young children can utilize smartphone apps in a developmental and appropriate manner.

Parental socioeconomic and psychological determinants of the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccine uptake in children

BackgroundBefore COVID-19, the previous pandemic was caused by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in 2009. Identification of factors behind parental decisions to have their child vaccinated against pandemic influenza could be helpful in planning of other pandemic vaccination programmes. We investigated the association of parental socioeconomic and psychosocial factors with uptake of the pandemic influenza vaccine in children in 2009–2010. MethodsThis study was conducted within a prospective birth-cohort study (STEPS Study), where children born in 2008–2010 are followed from pregnancy to adulthood. Demographic and socioeconomic factors of parents were collected through questionnaires and vaccination data from electronic registers. Before and after the birth of the child, the mother’s and father’s individual and relational psychosocial well-being, i.e. depressive symptoms, dissatisfaction with the relationship, experienced social and emotional loneliness, and maternal anxiety during pregnancy, were measured by validated questionnaires (BDI-II, RDAS, PRAQ, and UCLA). ResultsOf 1020 children aged 6–20 months at the beginning of pandemic influenza vaccinations, 820 (80%) received and 200 (20%) did not receive the vaccine against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. All measures of parents’ psychosocial well-being were similar between vaccinated and non-vaccinated children. Children of younger mothers had a higher risk of not receiving the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine than children of older mothers (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.52–4.43, for mothers < 27.7 years compared to ≥ 33.6 years of age). Children of mothers with lower educational level had an increased risk of not receiving the vaccine (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.00–2.14). ConclusionsMother’s younger age and lower education level were associated with an increased risk for the child not to receive the 2009 pandemic influenza vaccine, but individual or relational psychosocial well-being of parents was not associated with children’s vaccination. Our findings suggest that young and poorly educated mothers should receive targeted support in order to promote children’s vaccinations during a pandemic.

Navigating a New Home Using English: An Ethnographic Interview Study on English Language and Filipina Immigrants’ Mothering Experiences in Korea

In an ethnographic interview study, I examine the role that the English language plays in the lives of Filipina immigrants in South Korea as they navigate their new home as mothers of young children using the following research question: What impact does Filipina immigrant mothers’ knowledge of the English language have on their mothering experiences and the ways they navigate local communities in Korea? I examine how Filipina mothers use English as a means of communication with their children, as an asset to pursue employment opportunities, and as a channel through which they establish relationships in Korean society, which has a multi-billion US dollar market for English language education. While language skills are often promoted as a solution for difficulties immigrant mothers face during their time of transition, Filipina immigrant mothers’ language skills, their English in particular, help us understand the complexities of relational power dynamics within their homes, workplaces, and local communities.

Mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic among mothers of young children and the related factors: A focus on their difficulties in raising their child, concerns about their child's development, social support, and capacity to receive support

Objectives We examined the relationships between the development of severe mental distress among mothers of young children during COVID-19 and the related factors including difficulties in raising child, concerns about child's development, social support, and capacity to receive support using comparable pre-COVID-19 baseline data. Severe mental distress was defined by a score of K6≧10 on the Psychological Distress Scale.Methods We conducted a baseline survey in February 2020 and obtained responses from 4,700 mothers of young children. A follow-up survey was conducted in June 2020. We obtained responses from 2,489 participants of the original group. The K6 scores (four groups) of two surveys were compared. Thereafter, 521 participants who had severe mental distress at the baseline were excluded, and 1,968 participants were included in the Poisson regression analysis. We adjusted for maternal age, education, marital and employment status, household income, children's age, number of children, and changes during COVID-19 pandemic. The adjusted incident rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated using K6≧10 at follow-up as the dependent variable, and the independent variables were having difficulty in raising a child, concerns about child's development, social support, and capacity to receive support.Results At the baseline, 20.9% of mothers had severe mental distress. At follow-up, this value increased significantly to 25.3%. Mothers who developed severe mental distress by the time of the follow-up survey were 333 (16.9%), and they were more likely to have had difficulty in raising their child, concerns about child's development, lower levels of positive attitudes toward receiving support (capacity to receive support), and lower levels of social support.Conclusions The mental health of mothers caring for young children worsened during the COVID-19 outbreak. Factors related to the development of severe mental distress included having difficulty in raising a child, concerns about child's development, and lower levels of positive attitudes toward receiving support (capacity to receive support) and lower levels of social support. Providing parenting support, consultation and rehabilitation, and exploring approaches to enhance capacity for receiving support are required.

Family mealtime emotions and food parenting practices among mothers of young children: Development of the Mealtime Emotions Measure for Parents (MEM-P).

Family mealtimes can be important for supporting children's healthy development, yet the emotional context of mealtimes can vary considerably, likely impacting their overall success and enjoyment. Yet, despite having an important role, little is known about how parents emotionally experience mealtimes with their family. The first aim of the current study was to assess the factor structure of a novel self‐report measure to assess parents’ emotional responses experienced during family mealtimes (Mealtime Emotions Measure for Parents; MEM‐P). The second aim was to examine relationships between maternal mealtime emotions and their food parenting practices. Mothers of children aged between 1.5 and 6 years participated in this study. Mothers were invited to complete an online questionnaire measuring family mealtime emotions, anxiety, depression and food parenting practices. Exploratory factor analysis produced a three‐factor solution comprising both positive and negative emotion subscales: MEM‐P Efficacy; MEM‐P Anxiety; MEM‐P Stress and Anger. Mothers' positive mealtime emotions (mealtime efficacy) were related to greater use of practices promoting autonomy, providing a healthy home food environment, and modelling healthy eating. Higher anxiety about mealtimes was related to greater reports of child control over eating, and mealtime stress and anger was associated with greater use of food to regulate emotions. These findings highlight novel relationships between how mothers emotionally experience family mealtimes and the food parenting practices they use with their children. It is important to develop resources to help promote positive maternal experiences of family mealtimes and food‐based interactions.

Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in Haiti from 1994 to 2016: Trends and factors of variation

BackgroundSince 2000, countries have made substantial progress in reducing under-five mortality, but Haiti, an impoverished country in the Latin America and Caribbean region, faces major health challenges, including a high level of child mortality. However, few studies have focused on analysing trends in the under-five mortality rate (U5MR), determinants and geographical disparities within the country. ObjectivesThis study analyses the trend of U5MR in Haiti between 1994 and 2016, at national and departmental levels, and also examines differentials in the U5MR according to medical, demographic, and socio-economic characteristics of the population, and their evolution over time. MethodsThe study used data from Haiti's Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 1994 and 2016. The U5MR for Haiti was estimated based on the DHS Measure method, and a Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine factors contributing to under-five mortality. ResultsThe U5MR decreased from 131‰ (95% CI 120–142) in 1994 to 81‰ (95% CI 73–89) in 2016. The decline was very sharp between 1994 and 2005, but during the 2005–2016 period, the U5MR remained unchanged. At the departmental level, mortality declined in most of the nine departments, but a clear upward trend was observed in the “Ouest” department. Multivariate analysis revealed that insufficient antenatal care, a lack of breastfeeding, twin births, children of young mothers, high birth order, and poor households were significantly associated with higher mortality risks in Haiti. ConclusionsAchieving child survival in Haiti will require resources and policy to accelerate the decline of the current rates in most departments and prevent the significant rise in the “Ouest” department.

The glue that keeps everybody together: Peer support in mothers of young children with special health care needs.

BackgroundThe first years following diagnosis may be particularly challenging for parents and peer support from other parents of children with special health care needs may buffer their stress.MethodsThis qualitative interview study sought to explore the impact of early access to parental peer support and whether it leads to positive adaptation and improved family well‐being.ResultsFive mothers of young children with special health care needs from peer support organizations in two northern US states participated in interviews by telephone or Zoom. Themes of interest included professional scrutiny, going through the motions, someone who understands, learning and sharing, and one size does not fit all. Although most participants attributed positive changes in their emotional well‐being to the support they received, they were wary of extending the impact of peer support to their child and family.ConclusionsImplications for practice include embedding peer support programmes in neonatal care units and children's hospitals, as well as the addition of mindfulness practices to facilitate parental adaptation to disability and promote family well‐being.

Exposure to marketing of breastmilk substitutes in Mexican women: Sources and scope

BackgroundAggressive and unregulated marketing of breastmilk substitutes (BMS) results in increased child morbidity and mortality. Unregulated BMS marketing is a major public health concern because it encourages formula consumption at the expense of breastfeeding. This study aimed to identify the sources and characterize the nature of exposure to marketing of BMS among Mexican mothers of children under 18 months of age. As a secondary objective we explored potential association between exposure to BMS marketing and infant feeding practices.MethodsCross-sectional study, comprising a pre-piloted survey, was conducted between February 2020 to February 2021 with Mexican mothers of children under 18 months of age (n = 754), in two major cities in Mexico. Mothers were selected according to their current infant feeding practices (Breastfeeding only vs. Mixed feeding). We characterized the different BMS marketing sources and scope, and related them with infant feeding practices. In addition, we used logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratio for infant feeding practices by BMS marketing exposure or recommendation.ResultsMothers reported different sources of exposure to BMS promotion, including BMS advertisements in diverse media channels (41.6%), recommendation by a healthcare professional and/or relative (76.2%), and receiving a BMS sample at a hospital (18.6%). By contrast, only 36.5% recalled hearing or seeing breastfeeding information the previous year. The odds of mixed feeding were substantially higher, compared to breastfeeding, when mothers were recommended to use a BMS by doctors/pediatricians (OR: 3.96, 95% CI: 2.00, 7.83). Having seen or heard breastfeeding information in the previous year was associated with a lower risk of mixed feeding compared to breastfeeding only (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.99).ConclusionsMexican mothers of young children in the metropolitan areas studied were highly exposed to BMS marketing and through different mass media channels and inter-personal sources. Health care professionals, particularly doctors/pediatricians, are a source of BMS promotion that are likely to have a strong influence on maternal decisions about infant feeding practices. There is an urgent need to protect mothers and their families against unregulated BMS promotion through mass media channels and directly by influential individuals, including health care providers.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Pregnant and Lactating Women and Mothers of Young Children in Poland

PurposeThe World Health Organization indicated vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 threats to global health. The success of a vaccine depends not only on its efficacy but also on its acceptance. Our study aims to define COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in a sample of pregnant and lactating women in Poland. Since mothers are often key decision-makers for whether their children will receive vaccination, it is vital to measure vaccine confidence among this group.Patients and MethodsAn anonymous online survey was distributed to assess the level of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant and lactating women for themselves and their children in Poland.ResultsThe trust of pregnant and breastfeeding women and women who have offspring in government, in healthcare professionals, in scientific authorities, and sound scientific data is strongly associated with vaccine acceptance and may influence an individual’s decision to perceive recommended actions as beneficial to the society as a whole.ConclusionAcceptance and confidence in receiving the COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant and lactating women and mothers with young children is strongly associated with feelings of trust in government, health professionals, scientific authorities, and sound scientific data. The dissemination of professional and reliable information regarding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine uptake by qualified health care personnel can significantly increase the level of trust and public awareness regarding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and mothers with young children.

The Salience of Trust to the Client-Provider Relationship in Post-Ebola Guinea: Findings From a Qualitative Study.

Lack of trust in the health care system can serve as a barrier to service utilization, especially in pandemic and postemergency settings. Although previous research has identified domains of trust that contribute to individuals' trust in the health system, little research exists from low- and middle-income countries, particularly during and after infectious disease outbreaks. The current study-conducted to inform activities for a post-Ebola program-explored perceptions and experiences of health care provision in post-Ebola Guinea, with particular attention to trust. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with health workers (n=15) and mothers of young children (n=29) along with 12 focus group discussions with grandmothers of young children and 12 with male heads of household. The study occurred in Basse Guinée and Guinée Forestière-2 areas hardest hit by Ebola. Respondents identified a breach of trust during the epidemic, with several domains emerging as relevant for renewed trust and care-seeking practices. At the core of a trusting client-provider relationship was the inherent belief that providers had an intrinsic duty to treat clients well. From there, perceived provider competence, the hospitality at the facility, provider empathy, transparency about costs, and commitment to confidentiality emerged as relevant influences on participant trust in providers. Community members and providers expressed similar viewpoints regarding trust and discussed the role of open communication and community mobilization in rebuilding trust. Study findings informed a variety of program activities, including the development of campaign messages and interpersonal communication trainings for health workers. This study provides valuable insight about some underlying components of trust that can provide key leverage points to rebuild trust and promote care seeking in postemergency settings. This insight is informing program activities in the current Ebola response in Guinea and could be useful in other crises, such as the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Home is where it happens: a visual essay on pandemic parenting for employed mothers

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many U.S. schools, childcare centres, and non-essential workplaces closed or moved to a virtual, remote format. As a result, many families were forced to combine childcare, schooling, and paid work responsibilities within the home. This shift had unequal consequences, with employed mothers often bearing the brunt of additional childcare and household labour. In this visual essay, we draw from in-depth interviews with mothers of young children (N = 65), conducted in the early stages of the pandemic (April-May 2020) to produce three illustrations. As an analytic tool and form of data representation, these illustrations portray the experiences of employed mothers, situate these experiences within the broader institutional contexts of the pandemic, and use visual elements designed to leave layers of meaning up to audience interpretation.

Mothers adapt their voice during children\u2019s adolescent development

Mothers alter their speech in a stereotypical manner when addressing infants using high pitch, a wide pitch range, and distinct timbral features. Mothers reduce their vocal pitch after early childhood; however, it is not known whether mother’s voice changes through adolescence as children become increasingly independent from their parents. Here we investigate the vocal acoustics of 50 mothers of older children (ages 7–16) to determine: (1) whether pitch changes associated with child-directed speech decrease with age; (2) whether other acoustical features associated with child-directed speech change with age; and, (3) the relative contribution of acoustical features in predicting child’s age. Results reveal that mothers of older children used lower pitched voices than mothers of younger children, and mother’s voice pitch height predicted their child’s age. Crucially, these effects were present after controlling for mother’s age, accounting for aging-related pitch reductions. Brightness, a timbral feature correlated with pitch height, also showed an inverse relation with child’s age but did not improve prediction of child’s age beyond that accounted for by pitch height. Other acoustic features did not predict child age. Findings suggest that mother’s voice adapts to match their child’s developmental progression into adolescence and this adaptation is independent of mother’s age.

The Family Is My Priority: How Motherhood Frames Participation in Physical Activity in a Group of Mothers Living in a Low Socioeconomic Status Area.

Socioeconomic status (SES) is known to influence strongly both life expectancy and healthy life expectancy. Whilst there are multiple factors with complex interactions that provide the explanation for this observation, differences in the uptake of physical activity between high and low SES groups play a role. This in-depth qualitative study set out to understand the response of a group of mothers with young children living in a low SES area of a London (UK) borough to the current physical activity guidance and to investigate whether existing and established interventions based on behavior change are appropriate for this group. A series of three in depth interviews was carried out with the mothers (n = 20) over a period of 16 months, and the data collected were analyzed thematically. Four main themes were identified: (1) mothering comes before exercise; (2) mothers are a special case; (3) alone or together; and (4) facilities fail mothers. The mothers were unsure about the benefits of exercise, whether it was relevant for them and how to accommodate exercise alongside their mothering responsibilities. Family and peer group could be both a barrier and a facilitator to participation in physical activity. Without an in depth understanding of the role of physical activity in the lives of mothers of young children, behavior change-based public interventions are likely to fail to meet the needs of this group. A reduction in the current health inequities will only be possible when the needs of the mothers are acknowledged and used as the basis of appropriate public health guidance.

Residential green space is associated with a buffering effect on stress responses during the COVID-19 pandemic in mothers of young children, a prospective study.

Green spaces are associated with increased well-being and reduced risk of developing psychiatric disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate how residential proximity to green spaces was associated with stress response buffering during the COVID-19 pandemic in a prospective cohort of young mothers. We collected information on stress in 766 mothers (mean age: 36.6 years) from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort at baseline of the study (from 2010 onwards), and during the COVID-19 pandemic (from December 2020 until May 2021). Self-reported stress responses due to the COVID-19 pandemic were the outcome measure. Green space was quantified in several radiuses around the residence based on high-resolution (1 m2) data. Using ordinal logistic regression, we estimated the odds of better resistance to reported stress, while controlling for age, socio-economic status, stress related to care for children, urbanicity, and household change in income during the pandemic. In sensitivity analyses we corrected for pre-pandemic stress levels, BMI, physical activity, and changes in health-related habits during the pandemic. We found that for an inter-quartile range contrast in residential green space 300 m and 500 m around the residence, participants were respectively 24% (OR = 1.24, 95%CI: 1.03 to 1.51) and 29% (OR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.04 to 1.60) more likely to be in a more resistant category, independent of the aforementioned factors. These results remained robust after additionally controlling for pre-pandemic stress levels, BMI, physical activity, smoking status, urbanicity, psychological disorders, and changes in health-related habits during the pandemic. This prospective study in young mothers highlights the importance of proximity to green spaces, especially during challenging times.

Reliability and validity of a perinatal depression screening instrument in rural Mali

BackgroundIn order to reduce the burden of perinatal depression in low- and middle-income countries, health systems must be able to identify and treat women suffering from depression. The objective of our study was to develop a locally valid and reliable screening instrument for use in identifying pregnant women and mothers of young children with a local depression syndrome, dusukasi, in rural Mali. MethodsWe administered a locally adapted screening instrument containing items from the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25) to 180 pregnant women and mothers of children under age 2 in Sélingué, Mali to assess the instrument's psychometric properties and validity. Item Response Theory was used to develop an abbreviated version of the measure and the validity and psychometric properties of this shortened version were compared with the full-length scale. ResultsThe full 28-item scale exhibited a single factor structure with good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ​= ​0.92). Women who self-identified as suffering from dusukasi (n ​= ​87) in a known groups analysis to assess construct validity had significantly higher depression and anxiety symptom scores (p ​< ​0.0001) and functional impairment scores (p ​< ​0.0001) compared to women not reporting dusukasi (n ​= ​93). The shortened 16-item scale performed as well as the full scale in identifying women with dusukasi. ConclusionsConstruct validity of our adapted screening instrument was supported for identifying dusukasi in rural Malian women. Our methodology can be applied in other settings to develop similarly valid screening instruments for perinatal depression.

Majke na Instagramu - strategije reprezentacije majki male dece

The use of internet-based social networks intertwines with the mundane, and the practices and contents originating from the networks are a crucial part of individual identity constructions (Van Dijck 2013). Instagram is a social network on which users post images and short videos of users, and therefore identity and social constructs are built using visual means (Serafinelli 2018). Stemming from the theoretical framework of culture studies which focus on the social-contextual specifics of using social networking sites, the aim of this research is to offer an insight into the way one specific group - mothers of young children (from new-borns to five-year-olds) builds and presents their identity on Instagram. This research has attempted to answer the questions of how mothers of young children describe the practice of using Instagram, the way they present themselves and their children, how they establish the border between (semi-)public and private, how they observe their audience on Instagram. The basic research method consists of individual in-depth interviews with twenty mothers of young children who are active users of the internet-based social network Instagram. It has been determined that the mothers of young children use Instagram in order to present their way of life after founding a family and the challenges they face. They emphasize that their children are a crucial part of their identity, and that a photo without them is, therefore, pointless. The mothers are cautious when it comes to the content they post on their profiles, as their children's safety comes first. Due to the presence of photos of their children, most decide to make their profiles private and allow access to the photos only to certain people. The method employed to analyse the transcripts was discourse analysis.

Self-reported mental well-being of mothers with young children during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: A mixed-methods study.

Objectives:Mothers of young children have been identified as a particularly vulnerable group during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to explore how occupational, psychosocial and partnership-related factors were associated with their self-reported mental well-being during the first COVID-19 wave.Methods:Five hundred fifty participants of the BaBi cohort study (est. 2013, Bielefeld, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany) were invited to complete an online survey and to take part in email interviews (April–May 2020). With survey data, we assessed self-reported mental well-being through validated instruments (eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire; short version of the Symptom Checklist) and ran linear regression models for occupational, psychosocial and partnership-related factors. We performed content analysis on the interviews’ data to further understand the determinants of the women’s mental well-being.Results:One hundred twenty-four women participated in the survey; of which 17 also participated in the interviews. A perceived lack of support in childcare was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, while having a higher internal locus of control was associated with lower levels. Psychological distress was higher in those reporting lack of emotional or childcare support. Interviews confirmed the interplay of potential stressors and highlighted the difficulties to reconcile different expectations of motherhood.Discussion:Occupational, psychosocial and partner-related factors can act (to varying degree) both as resources and stressors to the self-reported mental well-being of mothers of young children. These impacts took different forms and created opportunities or challenges, depending on specific life circumstances, such as work or family situations, relationships and own psychosocial resources. Although not representative, our study contributes to building the COVID-19 evidence base, delineating the mental health toll of the pandemic on mothers of young children and the factors that contribute to it.