Health literacy and the information needs and dilemmas of first-time mothers over 35 years

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to holistically explore the information needs of socioeconomically disadvantaged young first-time mothers and associated issues of complexity.Design/methodology/approachThis paper used survey and semi-structured field interviews with 39 young mothers (aged 15–23) from UK areas of multiple deprivations.FindingsParticipants reported multiple and complex needs spanning interrelated topics of parenting, poverty and personal development. In the majority of instances, participants were either unsure of their ability to meet their needs or needed help with needs, and several described situations of considerable anxiety and stress. Multiplicity is identified and conceptualised as an important factor contributing to complexity, including three component elements: simultaneous occurrence of needs (concurrency), relationships between needs (interconnectivity) and evolving needs (fluidity). In various combinations, these elements influenced a mother's actions and/or ability to selectively attend to needs, with multiple needs often competing for attention, and compounding issues of cognitive load and affect.Research limitations/implicationsThis study draws attention to multiplicity of needs as an understudied topic within human information behaviour and calls for further research into how people recognise and attend to complex needs and influencing factors.Practical implicationsThis study raises important questions regarding how we approach complexity of information needs in our design and delivery of information systems and services.Originality/valueEvidences disadvantaged young mothers to have more extensive and complex information needs than previously understood, and identifies and conceptualised multiplicity as an important factor contributing to the complexity of information needs during major life transitions such as motherhood.

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Periodic Information-seeking Behaviors of First-time Mothers in China

Libri ◽

10.1515/libri-2018-0078 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 69 (4) ◽

pp. 263-274

Author(s):

Yinxia Hu ◽

Ping Ke

Keyword(s):

Information Search ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Information Needs ◽

Information Source ◽

Source Selection ◽

Information Demand ◽

First Time Mothers ◽

Key Factor ◽

Information Seeking Behaviors ◽

First Time

Abstract First-time mothers have a unique and varied set of information needs, but at present, these needs are seldom adequately addressed by libraries in China. As a first step in making libraries more helpful to this group, this study reports the results of a series of interviews aimed at understanding new mothers’ current information seeking behaviors. Thirty-seven first-time mothers (children from first year of birth to six years of age) took part in semi-structured in-depth interviews, answering questions about their information demand, information source selection (and factors influencing this selection), and obstacles encountered in the process of information search. It was found that first-time mothers’ information-seeking behavior varies from stage to stage, e. g. between pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. Internet search plays an important role because of its perceived convenience and accessibility, but trust is the key factor during the process of information selection, regardless of source. Overall, the mothers we interviewed seldom use the library. This paper puts forward some suggestions to remedy that situation: libraries might consider opening a first-time-mothers reading room, increasing cooperative promotions with other institutions, providing diversified service projects, and organizing reading-promotion activities for first-time mothers at different stages. If implemented, these suggestions promise to help mothers navigate the transitions of pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare.

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The pilot study of the needs of first time mothers with babies in the symbiotic life period in the area of the health literacy

Profese online ◽

10.5507/pol.2016.006 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Ivana Olecká ◽

Kateřina Ivanová ◽

Vladimír Mihál

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Life Period ◽

First Time Mothers ◽

First Time

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The everyday life information seeking behaviours of first-time mothers

Journal of Documentation ◽

10.1108/jd-06-2014-0080 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 72 (1) ◽

pp. 24-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Katherine Loudon ◽

Steven Buchanan ◽

Ian Ruthven

Keyword(s):

Everyday Life ◽

Support Groups ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Information Needs ◽

Information Overload ◽

Content Type ◽

The Everyday ◽

First Time Mothers ◽

Everyday Life Information Seeking ◽

First Time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate 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 combined 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 judgement influenced their use of interpersonal sources, both on- and off-line. Their accounts of information seeking contained instances of confusion, tension, conflict and information overload. Feeling under pressure to be “good mothers”, they withheld information needs from others, including healthcare professionals. Research limitations/implications – There was a notable absence of younger ( < 20 year old) 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 pressures which impact upon mothers’ information behaviour, allowing them to connect and share 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 first-time mothers’ information behaviours during the early stages of parenthood, the study provides insight into how relationships and experiences with others influence information seeking behaviours. It provides evidence that fear of judgement can influence information seeking behaviour, helping us to understand why some information sources, although considered important and useful, can be used very little.

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