Moms talk : an exploratory study on the experience of expectant mothers in WhatsApp support groups for pregnancy

Abstract

This study sets out to explore the phenomenon of WhatsApp support groups for expectant mothers in Singapore, by considering it as both a computer-mediated support group and a weak-tie network. The research questions are, so as to broadly approach the phenomenon, why do expectant mothers participate in WhatsApp support groups for pregnancy, and how do they do so. This study uses the qualitative approach of phenomenology, and the choice of semi-structured interviews to provide participants the opportunity to share freely their experience.

17 mothers were interviewed, and they recollected their past experience in the WhatsApp groups. Their sharing was then transcribed, coded and thematically analysed. Eight core themes emerged from the data. On the question of why they participate, their motivations were similar to those reported in literature on health-related social support groups, with the added unique factor of the pregnancy groups being able to aggregate many women pregnant at the same stage, a meeting that is unlikely to happen organically. On how they women participate, their sharing revealed themes of trust, openness, decision making, individual and group activity level, and insights into their chat content. Overall, the participants reported a very positive experience in the groups.

The study contributes to the fields of computer-mediated health-related support groups and weak-tie support networks. It also joins the small pool of studies on WhatsApp groups as an example of a social support seeking medium.