FEHD Research

Standing at the forefront of research into education and psychology, the Faculty of Education and Human Development (FEHD) is the leading provider of educational courses and research at the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK). We conduct high-quality research that addresses educational, social, and policy issues of global significance.

Article of the Month

Discover this month’s featured article, showcasing cutting-edge research and impactful ideas from our Faculty’s experts across disciplines.

May 2026

Supporting Mothers, Strengthening Families:
How Social Provision and Family Cohesion Safeguard Postnatal Well-Being

The arrival of a new baby is often seen as one of life’s happiest milestones. Yet for many first-time mothers, the transition also brings profound physical, emotional, and relational changes. Sleepless nights, shifting routines, and new caregiving responsibilities can strain personal well-being and marital relationships, making it crucial to understand what helps mothers not only cope but thrive.

A new longitudinal study led by Ms Xin-Ying Zeng, Ph.D. Candidate, and Professor Eva Yi-Hung Lau from the Department of Early Childhood Education at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, sheds light on a powerful yet often overlooked pathway to maternal well-being. The study demonstrates for the first time that family cohesion plays a key mediating role between prenatal social provision and postnatal well-being across the transition to motherhood.

A Longitudinal Journey through Motherhood

Drawing on a three-wave longitudinal design, the study followed 127 first-time married mothers in Hong Kong, China from the third trimester of pregnancy to four months postpartum, and again at nine months postpartum. By tracing experiences across this pivotal transition, the research examined whether family cohesion mediates the association between prenatal social provision and postnatal well-being, specifically marital satisfaction and life satisfaction.

Central to the study is the concept of social provision. Unlike traditional measures that focus solely on support received, social provision reflects a broader and more enduring perception that support is available, accessible, and reciprocal. It covers reliable alliance (the availability of practical assistance), guidance (access to advice and information), attachment (emotional bonding and security), social integration (a sense of belonging within a group), reassurance of worth (recognition of one’s value and competence), and opportunities for nurturance (the ability to provide care to others). In essence, it captures the extent to which mothers feel securely embedded in a supportive social network before the baby arrives.

From Social Support to Family Strength

The findings reveal that mothers who perceived stronger social provision during pregnancy experienced higher levels of family cohesion at four months postpartum. Family cohesion refers to the emotional bonding, solidarity, and mutual support among family members. In cohesive families, members communicate constructively, share responsibilities, and respond sensitively to one another’s needs.

When expectant mothers felt securely connected within their social networks, they appeared better equipped to navigate early parenting challenges, contributing to a more harmonious and supportive family environment after childbirth. The research highlights how strengths in the broader social system can reinforce resilience within the family system.

The Mediating Power of Family Cohesion

An important finding became clear in the next phase of the study. Family cohesion at four months postpartum significantly predicted both marital satisfaction and overall life satisfaction at nine months postpartum. Moreover, family cohesion mediated the relationship between prenatal social provision and these well-being outcomes. In other words, social provision strengthened maternal well-being by enhancing the quality of family functioning.

The statistical model explained nearly 28 percent of the variance in marital satisfaction and over 40 percent of the variance in life satisfaction—substantial effects in psychological research. Rather than exerting a direct effect, social provision worked indirectly by fostering a cohesive and adaptive family environment.

A Systems Perspective on Maternal Well-Being

Guided by Bioecological Systems Theory, the Vulnerability–Stress–Adaptation model, and the Developmental Systems Resilience Framework, the study demonstrates how social and family systems are deeply intertwined. Strength in external social networks can foster resilience within the family unit, which in turn promotes individual well-being.

The cultural context of Hong Kong adds further depth to the findings. In Chinese societies, childbirth is widely regarded as a major family event, with strong traditions of family involvement during the postpartum period. Within such family-oriented settings, cohesion and interdependence may play an especially important role in safeguarding mothers’ psychological adjustment. By providing longitudinal evidence from a non-Western context, the study enriches global understanding of maternal well-being during the transition to parenthood.

Implications for Policy and Practice

Beyond theory, the research carries important practical implications. It suggests that efforts to promote maternal well-being should begin before childbirth by helping expectant mothers cultivate supportive social networks. At the same time, postnatal initiatives should not focus solely on the mother in isolation but also consider strengthening family communication, shared caregiving, and emotional bonding. Enhancing the perception that support is available may be as critical as providing immediate assistance during moments of crisis.

As global attention to perinatal mental health continues to grow, this study offers an encouraging insight. It suggests that investing in strong social networks and fostering supportive, cohesive family relationships can create an environment in which new mothers feel sustained, intimate partnerships remain stable, and overall life satisfaction is preserved during the profound transition to parenthood.

Ms Zeng and Professor Lau’s work reflects our ongoing focus on well-being and parenting during the transition to parenthood, as well as the connections between family processes and children’s socio-emotional development. By examining how social and family systems interact over time, their research deepens our understanding of health and well-being in everyday family life. The study provides a meaningful foundation for policies and practices aimed at supporting resilient parents, positive child development, and enduring family well-being.

This research, titled “Social Provision and Postnatal Well-Being Across the Transition to Motherhood: Family Cohesion as a Mediator,” is supported by the General Research Fund of the Research Grants Council of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. To learn more about the study, please visit https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075251399000

For enquiries about the research, please contact Professor Eva Yi-Hung Lau by email at evalau@eduhk.hk.