Crucial Components of Social Support that Predict Mental Health in Mothers. TEOH HSIEN-JIN.Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia 1 Julai/July 2003

Abstrak
Three hundred and ninety-eight mothers were interviewed to ascertain what aspects of social support tend to be important in predicting mother’s mental health. The results of the study indicated that satisfaction with social support, rather than size of the social support network predicted mother’s mental health. Furthermore, satisfaction with social support mainly predicted anxiety and insomnia. The important aspects of satisfaction with social support that predicted anxiety and insomnia included having someone whom the mothers could totally be themselves, who would also comfort them by holding them in their arms and who would assist in the event of the death of a close relative. From a clinical perspective, some level of specificity needs to be taken into consideration when inquiring about patient’s social support.

Key words: Mental health, social support, mothers, questionnaire.