Abstract
Background
Childbearing women engage in large public pregnancy and parenting forums, primarily
for the purpose of seeking information and advice. There is an absence of research
related to women's engagement in closed and private online mothers’ groups.
Aim
The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of participation and support
for members within a closed online mothers’ group.
Method
A qualitative study using in-depth interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used
to analyse the data.
Findings
This study demonstrated that a closed online mothers’ group enabled a group of childbearing
women to overcome isolation and form sustained, evolving and supportive friendships
within a small, private and trusted group. The technology allowed women to engage
and share at a level much deeper than what they would in “real life”. The depth of
sharing was enhanced in a closed online mothers’ group due to a smaller, private audience
of trusted friends. Virtual support felt safer than face-to-face support as information
could not impact one's real world reputation, and communication was able to be controlled.
This was particularly helpful to women experiencing social difficulties or isolation.
Conclusion
This study has provided a unique and rare insight into the private world of closed
online mothers’ groups. As a virtual village, this closed group enabled childbearing
women to form a small community with members sharing responsibility and working for
the wellbeing and benefit of all. By encouraging, locating and establishing similar
groups, maternity health professionals may assist women to access their own ‘virtual
village’.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 10, 2021
Accepted:
April 19,
2021
Received in revised form:
March 18,
2021
Received:
October 28,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
