Functioning and support networks during postpartum

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: to investigate how social support for the nuclear family, extended family and extra-family influences the functioning indexes of the mothers of the State of São Paulo. Methods: data collection took place via an online form, posted in maternity groups on social networks. A structured questionnaire was used to identify the profile of the puerperal woman and her support network, as well as WHODAS 2.0 to assess functioning. Results: support of husband/partner (p=0.012), other family members (p=0.001), friends/neighbors (p=0.003) were translated into better functioning of puerperal woman, while virtual support (p=0.043) was related to worse rates in the domains contemplated by WHODAS 2.0. Regarding health professionals, the result was not significant (p=0.721), indicating a low frequency for this type of support (12%). Conclusions: the presence of support acted positively on the functioning of women in the puerperium.